James Gorden Kirby Jr.

Our Dad, James Gorden Kirby, Jr., was born New Year's Day 1928 to James and Irma Kirby in Anniston, Alabama. He finished high school in 1946 at Anniston High School and went into the furniture industry where he stayed for over forty years from loading docks to store owner. His passion became providing quality furniture to families. In March of 1952 Uncle Sam came calling and James Kirby was off to serve his country in Korea as an Army cook and baker. He received the United Nations Service Medal and three Bronze Stars. After eighteen months of service in Korea it is fondly remembered by his family that he never cooked, camped or waited patiently in lines again. James returned to civilian life in February of 1953 back in the furniture industry at Warnock's Furniture on Noble Street. Further down on Noble Street was the Southern Bell Phone company where Myrian Barnwell worked. Everyday Myrian walked by Warnock's on her way to work. As it is told she was a looker and he was looking. On December 26, 1953 James and Myrian eloped and started their new life together. That was the beginning of sixty-one years as a loving husband and father. In quick order we came along...Wanda Lee, James the third, and Linda Sue filled the lives of James and Myrian.

James the third and Linda embraced their father's love of furniture and joined their father in the furniture industry. Wanda became a teacher and later embraced her dad's love of service to their country and served in the Army in Europe for several years and then back to education. James and Myrian raised their children in a Christian home with great values and a love for their country. James and Myrian had five grandchildren three boys, John, Jim IV and Joe and two granddaughters, Jesse and Snobia. They have four great grandchildren, three boys, Thomas, Jordan and James V and one great granddaughters, Taylor.

The Kirby household has always been a source of great laughter, loving family, a good movie and a fierce Roll Tide spirit. We children enjoyed great adventures to nearby theme parks, Six Flags, Disney or Callaway Gardens. The understanding around the Kirby house for a trip was...when dad gets up and puts his pants on we crawl into the car...almost always in the dark. Dad was an early riser. He was also, quite the escape artist. We enjoyed the family trips and gatherings but Dad was always a brief appearance at these events....after a few minutes someone would say, where's Dad. He was always found in the back room taking a nap. He was quick witted and not above an occasional moment to embarrass his children. He had a way of keeping us in line. We learned very early in our life that we do not talk back to our mother....his wife. He loved his wife which he affectionately called his girlfriend or Babe.

Dad loved his house and his dog. He, Jim and Mama would sit out front and enjoy a nice day in the neighborhood or take his dog Milo for walks throughout the neighborhood. Milo had gained celebrity status in the neighborhood for his great size and one blue and other brown eye. These walks were Dad's best social moments with the children running out to pet Milo.

The years passed so quickly and he filled them well with sweet memories and a wise investment into his children and grandchildren.

He loved hard, worked hard and served hard and lived well. We are better for having known him. We love him so much and will dearly miss him. The tribute we will leave to him is to love and care for his wife and for each other as the years pass on by. Thanks Dad, you did well.