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Friday, October 18, 2024
Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)
Bobby Frank Kirby, of Quitman Tx, passed away peacefully on October 12th in College Station, Texas, at the age of 93. Bob was born in Mt. Pleasant, Tx. to John and Marie Kirby on July 18, 1931. From an early age, education was important to him. He worked in the summers of his high school years to raise money to put himself through college. He fulfilled that dream of having an education, and he was a graduate of East Texas State University, Commerce, Tx. in 1954 with a degree in Industrial Arts. While attending college, Bob met his wife, Cynthia Moulton. They were married on July 12, 1954, and celebrated 70 years of marriage this past July.
After a brief teaching stint in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, Bob taught industrial arts, woodworking and metal work at Pittsburg High School. In 1967, he moved his young family to Quitman where he and Cynthia taught school together and he raised their family in this lovely, beautiful community. He had a stellar tenure teaching industrial arts and drafting in Quitman ISD for 35 years. To bring in extra money for his young family, he would work in the summers doing construction, he drove a bus during the school year, and had cattle on the side. But most of all, he loved his students! He was known for helping his students design and build big, impressive, woodworking projects. So many former students have a “Bob Kirby design” in their homes today! He had a wonderful impact of mentoring young men, bringing forth and developing their skills and giftings in learning to use their hands to build; some jumpstarting their careers out of high school. He was a manly man, but he had a gentle, soft touch!
Upon retirement, he started developing his burgeoning artistic skills. He built a shop in his back yard, and that is where he spent most of his time. He jump-started a new career designing custom lamps for several Interior Designers in Dallas, Tx. Later, because of his love for wood, he made a custom lathe which enabled him to make large-scale, spalted wood turnings. Inspired by Quitman’s rich timber forest, he began collecting beautifully grained logs, hoisting them on his lathe, and turning “rustic chic” pieces of art that became trendy, decorative objects that were sold in different venues in the Dallas Design District for many years.
His faith was important to him and he was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Quitman.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie Kirby, and his younger brother, Jimmy Kirby, all of Mt. Pleasant, Tx.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, of College Station, Texas; two daughters, Cindy Estakhri and husband Fari, College Station; Elizabeth Kirby, O’Brien, Florida; His beloved three granddaughters; Ryann Flint and husband Michael of Houston, Sarah Hightower and husband Clint of Houston, and Grace Presnal and husband Mac of Boulder, Colorado, and one great grandchild, little Michael Lewis Flint.
The family would like to thank the staff of Sodalis Senior Living and Luminos Hospice for their loving care these past few months.
A Graveside Service for Bob Kirby will be held Friday, October 18th at 1:00 pm at Quitman City Cemetery with Pastor Mike Midkiff officiating.
Friday, October 18, 2024
Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)
Quitman City Cemetery
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