Reginald T. Kirby

Reginald Theodore Kirby, 99, of Topeka died peacefully in his sleep Monday January 21, 2019 at his home. He was born July 13, 1919 in Deerfield, New York. He grew up the oldest of three boys on a dairy farm in upstate New York, the son of H. Pliny Kirby and Florence Lillian Hines Kirby.

He graduated from Poland Central High School and Delhi Technical College where he learned the trade of carpentry which became his life's work after serving in WWII. Reginald worked at Remington Rand Library Bureau Division - a cabinet making company in Ilion, NY until going into the service.

He enlisted in the Army Air Force on December 30, 1941 and served in the South Pacific on the US Christopher Greenup in WWII. Reg's military training included Ft. Niagara and the Military Aviation Institute in K.C., Missouri. He was an aircraft mechanic for B-17, B-24, and B-29 airplanes. He was stationed at the Topeka Army Air Field (Forbes) and was assigned to aircraft maintenance. He was on the island of Iwo Jima after it was taken. He held the rank of staff sergeant and received the American Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal when he was discharged January 10, 1946.

While stationed at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Reg met and became engaged to Geneva Marcia Olson. He believed God led them to each other and they married on February 9, 1946. His sweetheart of nearly 48 years preceded him in death on January 16, 1994.

In 1947, Reg took up the building trade and worked as a carpenter and cabinet maker for various contractors: J.A. Lundgren and Son, Bowers & Son, David Keller, and Joe Pashman. He then worked one year at KNI for the state of Kansas before transferring to Boys Industrial School now known as Youth Center at Topeka where he worked as head maintenance carpenter for 23 years before retiring in September 1982. He was a member of the Carpenters Union Local No. 1445.

Reginald was a member of North Gage Presbyterian Church in New York. Moving to Topeka after he was discharged, he joined West Side Baptist Church in Topeka, KS where he was a member for 72 years and where he served as a trustee and an usher. Reg was not outspoken about his faith in words, but the way he lived his life spoke volumes. He loved his LORD, his family, church family, the friends God put into his life, and the work the LORD gave him to do. He not only read his Bible, he lived his faith, treating others as the LORD would.

Reginald was always a hard worker, a creative problem solver, jack-of-all-trades and had a playful sense of humor. He was a faithful husband to his "one and only," a wonderful, loving and kind father to his daughters, and was loved and respected by his family and friends. He was sweet and gentle, enjoyed helping other people and loved working with wood. He had wonderful woodworking skills - refinishing furniture and even bringing a piece to life that looked like a throw away. So, in a way, he was in the redemption business - just like his LORD.

Also preceding him in death besides his wife are: his parents: Pliny and Florence Kirby and his brother Riley Kirby of Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Survivors include his daughters: Karen C. Kirby and Janice L. Kirby both of Topeka; brother: Jack (Sally) Kirby of Sarasota, FL; nephews: Scott Kirby of Rochester, NY, and Jason (Zena) Kirby of Alexandria, VA; and niece: Gail (Henry) Albert of New Bern, NC.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 28, 2019 at West Side Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 27, 2019 at the Dove Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road.

Memorial contributions may be made to: West Side Baptist Church, 1008 SW 4th Street, Topeka, KS 66606.

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