First Sergeant Alan Joseph Kirby Jr. (U.S. Army, Ret.)

COLUMBIA - First Sergeant Alan Joseph Kirby, Jr.,(U.S. Army, Ret.) age 68, passed away on Friday, December 17, 2021 at The Palmettos at Parklane from the effects of a six-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Alan was born in July 1953 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Alan Joseph Kirby Sr. and Margaret Higgins Jenkins. He was raised in New Hampshire and enlisted in the U.S. Army as a young man. Alan achieved the rank of First Sergeant before retiring. After retiring, he ran his own construction company and later worked at Dougherty Equipment Company and Columbia Farms. Alan was married to his wife, Frances, for almost fifty years. Throughout his life, Alan was known for his hard work, determination, and commitment to excellence.

Alan was a family man at heart and found great meaning and purpose in loving and serving his family. He enjoyed outdoor walks with his wife, doing repairs around the house, gardening, fixing cars with his son, Alan, keeping up with the activities of his son, Jeff, watching favorite television shows with his daughter, Melanie, spending time with his grandchildren, playing with his dog, and rooting for his New England Patriots.

Alan is survived by his wife, Frances Kirby of Columbia; their three children, Alan (Kristy) Kirby, Father Jeffrey Kirby, and Melanie (James) Kirby-McDaniel; five grandchildren, Aaron (Brittney) Kirby, Kelsey Kirby, Julia Dickson, Alex (Bethany) Kirby, and Skylar Kirby; three great-grandchildren, Madeline Kirby, Alexandria Kirby, and Ellorie Kirby; and Champ, his beloved Boston Terrier. He is survived by his brother, Kevin (Tammy), being preceded in death by his parents and three of his four siblings.

The visitation will be held from 6 until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church. Burial with full military honors will follow in Fort Jackson National Cemetery.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.