James Russell “Sam” Kirby, 68, of Bolivar, departed this life on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at OHSU Hospital in Portland, OR.
The son of the late John Lee Kirby and Barbara Jane Beary Kirby, he was born in Davenport, IA. He was united in marriage to Carolynn Michelle Clark, who survives, on June 25, 1983.
He worked as owner/operator of JSK Construction for several years before moving to Hardeman County in June, 2019. He also worked as a carpentry contractor for the US government in Iraq and Afghanistan which supplied him with a way to express his patriotism and deep love of America. Most recently, he had been a driver for Bolivar Ford.
Mr. Kirby grew up in Texas, had lived in Indiana for over 30 years and, in Arizona for 15 years. He was an active, faithful member of Parrans Chapel Baptist Church where he enjoyed participating in the church’s “The Way” presentation each Easter season. As an extension of his Christian faith, he often would mentor young men who worked for his construction company helping them as they made their way through life. Sam, as he was best known, enjoyed fishing, hunting and life on his farm. An avid animal lover, he spent many hours with his dog, a Korean Jindo, “Byong”, who preceded him in death and, will be greatly missed by his dog, “Rowdy” and his dairy cow, Eileen, who adored him,
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Carolynn Michelle Kirby of Bolivar; daughter, Jamie (Jonathan) Matsui of Portland, OR; son, Joshua (Carmen) Kirby of Surprise, AZ; five sisters, Nancy Jane (Eric) Hansen, Sherry (Steve) Christiaens, Jonnie (David) Klein, Becky Shumway and Melanie McFatridge, all of Texas; four grandchildren, Jasmin (Patrick) Nunn of Glendale, AZ, Samantha Kirby of Surprise, AZ, Lilly and Lyla Matsui of Portland, OR; and a great-grandchild, Noah James Taufu’i Nunn of Glendale, AZ.
Memorials may be sent to Parrans Chapel Baptist Church.
