Advertisement

John Melvin Kirby

Advertisement

John Melvin Kirby

Birth
Mullins, Marion County, South Carolina, USA
Death
13 Apr 2017 (aged 93)
Florence, Florence County, South Carolina, USA
Burial
Mullins, Marion County, South Carolina, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
WORLD WAR II

MULLINS - Son of Joe Hilliard and Madge Edwards Kirby. John married Olga Mike Petros on June 27, 1949.

Former House Member, Honorable John M. Kirby, Sr., 93, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 13, 2017 at McLeod Hospice House. He was born on March 8, 1924, a son of the late Dr. Joe H. Kirby and the late Madge Edwards Kirby.

Mr. Kirby proudly served his country during World War II as a member of the United States Navy and the United States Naval Reserve. He had an outstanding war record as he saw action in Europe, Africa, the Middle Eastern area, and the Asiatic Pacific Area having earned thirteen battle stars. While there, he crossed the equator ten times and the 180th meridian four times, having engaged the enemy from Guadalcanal to Japan. Mr. Kirby was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3181, Florence, SC and a member of the American Legion Post 5, Marion, SC.

Mr. Kirby was involved in several civic and community activities, including being a charter member and first President of the Mullins Rescue Squad. He served as a former member of the Mullins City Council and later as a member of the SC House of Representatives from Marion County. He was a past member of the SC Law Enforcement Agency and past Chairman of the Marion County Department of Social Services. Mr. Kirby was also a member of the Hut Class of Macedonia United Methodist Church. He enjoyed having his morning coffee with friends at the Mullins Coffee Club.

He was predeceased by his wife, Olga Petros Kirby; a grandson, Will Hawkins; a brother, Dr. Joe H. Kirby, Jr. M.D.; and two sisters, Madge Kirby Jordan and Kathryn Kirby Blue.

Mr. Kirby is survived by two sons, Dr. John M. Kirby, Jr. (Vicki) and Paul R. Kirby, all of Mullins; two daughters, Barbara Ann Hawkins of Hamer, and B. J. Larson of Swansboro, NC; one sister, Norma Reid of Mullins; 4 grandchildren; and 7 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Monday, April 17, 2017 at Meares Funeral Home in Mullins. A private burial will follow.
WORLD WAR II

MULLINS - Son of Joe Hilliard and Madge Edwards Kirby. John married Olga Mike Petros on June 27, 1949.

Former House Member, Honorable John M. Kirby, Sr., 93, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 13, 2017 at McLeod Hospice House. He was born on March 8, 1924, a son of the late Dr. Joe H. Kirby and the late Madge Edwards Kirby.

Mr. Kirby proudly served his country during World War II as a member of the United States Navy and the United States Naval Reserve. He had an outstanding war record as he saw action in Europe, Africa, the Middle Eastern area, and the Asiatic Pacific Area having earned thirteen battle stars. While there, he crossed the equator ten times and the 180th meridian four times, having engaged the enemy from Guadalcanal to Japan. Mr. Kirby was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3181, Florence, SC and a member of the American Legion Post 5, Marion, SC.

Mr. Kirby was involved in several civic and community activities, including being a charter member and first President of the Mullins Rescue Squad. He served as a former member of the Mullins City Council and later as a member of the SC House of Representatives from Marion County. He was a past member of the SC Law Enforcement Agency and past Chairman of the Marion County Department of Social Services. Mr. Kirby was also a member of the Hut Class of Macedonia United Methodist Church. He enjoyed having his morning coffee with friends at the Mullins Coffee Club.

He was predeceased by his wife, Olga Petros Kirby; a grandson, Will Hawkins; a brother, Dr. Joe H. Kirby, Jr. M.D.; and two sisters, Madge Kirby Jordan and Kathryn Kirby Blue.

Mr. Kirby is survived by two sons, Dr. John M. Kirby, Jr. (Vicki) and Paul R. Kirby, all of Mullins; two daughters, Barbara Ann Hawkins of Hamer, and B. J. Larson of Swansboro, NC; one sister, Norma Reid of Mullins; 4 grandchildren; and 7 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Monday, April 17, 2017 at Meares Funeral Home in Mullins. A private burial will follow.


Sponsored by Ancestry

Advertisement