Wallace Kirby

Wallace Edwin Kirby, born May 13, 1943 in Council Hill, Oklahoma. Son of Doris and Lillie Kirby. "Kirby" as he was affectionately known, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2024, at the age of 81. 

Kirby is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 56 years, Ethel Denmark Kirby. He leaves behind his children, Donny Kirby (Twila) of Charlotte, North Carolina, Wallace Kirby, Jr. (Tina) of McClenney, Florida, Theresa Kirby Errickson (Derrick) of New Egypt, New Jersey, Laurie Kirby Rabeau of Citronelle, Alabama, and Catrina Kirby Johnston (Joel) of Citronelle, Alabama; grandchildren, Amanda, Donny Jr, Jonathan, John, Shawn, Jesse, Dylan, Justin, Jason, Jared, Hunter, Jenna, and Matthew; eighteen great grandchildren; sisters, Mona Ridge of Muskogee, Oklahoma and Janis Jones of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

He is preceded in death by his father, Doris Edwin Kirby; mother, Lillie Mae Hamm Kirby; daughter, Erika Lynn Donlea Kirby; brother, Leonard Kirby; sister, Lt. Colonel Mary Kirby; in laws, Willard and Margaret Denmark; and son-in-law, Vincent Reed. 

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, December 26, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Pine Crest Cemetery. 

Kirby joined the United States Navy on 19 May 1960. He was honorably discharged on 1 December 1989. He retired as the Number 1 Command Master Chief and was recommended several times for the Officer Programs leading to Commission Officer status. The majority of his military career was served aboard the USS Independence CV-62. He also served in several conflicts including the Vietnam War, earning him the Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device.

His decision to join the military was greatly influenced by his grandfather who served in World War I and his father who served in World War II. Kirby received seven Good Conduct Awards, Navy Unit Commendation Award, Navy Achievement Medal, Gold Star, two Meritorious Commendations, National Defense Service Medal, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1st), Navy Expeditionary Medal, Navy "E" Ribbon, and the Air Force Senior NCO Award. Within his 30 years, Kirby held many titles. To name a few he was a Plane Captain, Loadmaster on the C130, he was with Fighter Squadron 3 - McGuire Air Force Base New Jersey, Instructor Officer Flight Students, Navy Survival, Evasion Resistance and Escape Instructor - Pensacola, Florida, Police Petty Officer, and Shore Patrol - Virginia Beach, Virginia. 

He was a loyal employee of RDA from 1997 to 2005. 

Outside of work, he enjoyed tinkering with engines and building race cars with his son, Donny. He was the "K" in the J & K Go Cart Racing Team. He was also an amateur CB Radio Ham Operator. 

Kirby loved his family, especially his children and grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. 

The family would like to give a special thanks to his caregiver, Laurie Rabeau.