IN LOVING MEMORY OF
James Frank
Kirby
December 28, 1934 – December 9, 2020
Obituary
James Frank "Jim" Kirby, 85, of Grand Island, NE died Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at the Veterans Affair Medical Center in Grand Island, NE. Mr. Kirby's wishes were to be cremated. No services are planned. Private family inurnment will be in Ft. McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, NE at a later date. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. You are encouraged to sign Jim's guestbook at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Jim's obituary.
Jim was born December 28, 1934, at Shelby, NE. He was the son of James Norval and Marie Wilhemenia (Schlesinger) Kirby.
Jim grew up on the family farm by Silver Creek, NE. He graduated from Silver Creek High School in 1953. He entered the U.S. Navy on December 8, 1955, serving until his honorable discharge on September 12, 1957. He worked at an air craft plant in California for several years, later working on the starting gate at various thoroughbred horse racing tracks throughout the eastern United States. While racing Jim met his future wife Joan Marie Wick. They married in Pueblo, CO making their home in Kansas City and Tulsa, Oklahoma where Jim drove bus for Greyhound for 23 years. Jim returned to Nebraska in 1992 and began training thoroughbred horses, racing in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Minnesota, until retiring in 2013.
Jim enjoyed every aspect of training and racing horses and never considered it work. He also enjoyed daily coffee with his coffee buddies.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Terice Kirby of New York, NY
Brothers, Dennis and Mick Kirby both of Silver Creek, NE
He is preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Shannon Kirby, grandson, Ceasar Kallozio, and brother, Ben Kirby.
Memorials are suggested to the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Frank Kirby, please visit our flower store.
James Frank Kirby's Guestbook
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