Jack Temple Kirby

About

Miami University Old Dominion University University of Virginia

Jack Kirby Obituary

Jack Temple Kirby, 70, died Aug. 6, 2009, at Flagler Hospital. He was born in Portsmouth, Va., the son of Clifford Kirby and Theodosia Palmer Kirby.

He graduated from Old Dominion University and received his master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Virginia. He was W.E. Smith professor emeritus of history at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where his specialties were the American South, rural and agricultural history, and environmental history. He was author or editor of seven books, including "Media-Made Dixie"; "Rural Worlds Lost: The American South, 1920-1960"; "Poquosin: A Study of Rural Landscape and Society"; and "Mockingbird Song: Ecological Landscapes of the South," which won the Bancroft Prize in 2007. At his death, he was president of the Southern Historical Association. For some years he was editor of the series Studies in Rural Cultures at the University of North Carolina Press. He was a past president of the Agricultural History Society and a former Fulbright Senior Lecturer at the University of Genoa in Italy. He also served on a number of editorial boards. He moved to St. Augustine in 2003.

He is survived by a son, Matthew Kirby, of New York City; a daughter, Valerie Kirby, and her husband, Mark Bruhn; and two granddaughters, Ella and Sophie Bruhn, all of Fort Wayne, Ind.; two sisters, Susan Kirby, of Portsmouth, and Betsy Andrews of Midlothian, Va,; and by his companion of 17 years, Constance Pierce.

Following cremation, his remains will be interred in the family plot at West Point, Va. A memorial donation may be made to the Virginia Historical Society, P.O. Box 7311, Richmond, Va. 23221 or the Miami University Library, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056.

St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by St. Augustine Record on Aug. 9, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Jack Kirby

12 Entries

Joanne Yeck

August 18, 2009

Jack Kirby worked his magic on me early in life. In the mid-1970s, at Miami University, we shared a fascination for the movies and history. He also planted some southern seeds in my young mind. Once sprouted, they've pushed out everything else. Maybe it was Kudzu.

Jack possessed a very special crystal ball. It looked backward, forward, and deep inside the issue at hand. Whatever was on the table, Jack knew how to dissect it and find the pertinent implications. And it was fast and fun. Highly entertaining in fact. All that sly, sweet, Southern personality.

In short, Jack was delightfully smart. A rich tapestry. No monoculture here. Jack knew all too well the devastation wrought by dominant cultures. As I recall, in 1975, he predicted McDonald's would wipe out regional cuisine. Who needs grits or hush puppies when you can eat an Egg McMuffin every morning? And so it has gone. Just as Jack said it would.

I listened and believed and learned how to see and understand the big sweep of history. No longer young myself, I've too have been a witness to change. The Egg McMuffin was a tame beginning.

It's inevitable, though. Change happens, typically resulting in loss. Cultures. Farm lands. Hoop skirts. Even words fall by the wayside.

And now Jack Kirby has changed, resulting in both personal and collective loss. Fortunately, he left us with many fond memories and lots and lots of words on the page to linger with on the balcony. . . .

Joan and Mauricio Solaun

August 17, 2009

What we feel at the loss of our generous and collaborative neighbor, Jack Kirby, defies our ability to put into words. For us to have landed here right next door to Jack Kirby when we moved to Sunset Landing in St Augustine was nothing short of miraculous. His intuitive understanding of so many different people, places and cultures made our daily exchanges a joy always to be looked forward to. His sense of humor never failed. His energy never flagged. His love of the South as a scholar, an historian and a person, his feelings for St Augustine, for our marsh and its inhabitants, helped us to see this world in a new and special light. His insights will live on through his writing for those who did not have the privilege to know him and hear his tales.

To wonderful Constance, our love and support . How fortunate she has been to have lived these years with Jack. So many memories to keep her charging forward. To his sisters, and to his children, Matt and Val, and their families, our deepest sympathy and admiration to have had such an amazing man as their father and grandfather.

Joan and Mauricio Solaun

Clifford Ong

August 14, 2009

I was a history major at Miami (Class of '85). Prof. Kirby was my favorite professor and one I always talked about when reminiscing about college. Besides being an excellent lecturer, he once told me he thought I was an excellent writer (he said it in a much more colorful way). This seemingly simple act of encouragement to a young student had an incredible impact on my confidence. I love history in no small manner because of Prof. Kirby. My condolences to the family. Please be assured his gracious acts will be remembered for quite some time.

August 12, 2009

What I remember most about Jack is his marvelous, rich baritone voice. It projected so eloquently and simply his warmth and his generous nature and matched his gift for making one feel worthy. What surprised and gladdened me most was that he and Constance, both such splendid people, in all ways, managed to find and sustain each other over the years.
My heart is heavy for him and just aches for Constance.
Virginia Martucci

Elliott Gorn

August 12, 2009

Above all, I remember Jack laughing. As serious and important as his writing was, as deeply as he cared about teaching, as much as he understood our planet to be in imperiled, Jack still knew the world through laughter. I can't laugh off his passing. But I can remember our times and laugh again with him.

Julie Parker

August 11, 2009

I always enjoyed walking down to the end of the river to watch the sunset and saying hi to Jack at his favorite spot on the balcony. He was a friendly neighbor and he will surely be missed. Constance, we want you to know that everyone in the neighborhood is here for you and those talkative shelties!

Barbara & Gregg Feldman

August 11, 2009

We will miss Jack's presence. He was an intelligent, kind, and thoughtful person and we always loved talking with him and seeing him as we rounded the corner on our way home. He added much to our neighborhood, gave of his time and knowledge unselfishly, and he will be remembered with great fondness. It has been a privilege to know Jack and we look forward to our continuing friendship with Constance. You both are in our hearts.

Michael Thompson

August 11, 2009

Jack advised my dissertation from 1995-2000. He was a great mentor, but above all, a great friend. He never failed to look out for my well-being as a person and always looked for ways to improve my scholarship. I looked forward to each and every visit to his office, knowing that I'd be enlightened and entertained. I will miss him dearly.

Jerry Pattengale

August 11, 2009

Dr. Kirby was a wonderful complement to Dr. Yamauchi. Both served as excellent mentors in radically different ways. I have fond memories of Dr. Kirby's many questions about my religious beliefs--all while he swished his wine and interjected some Epicurean tidbits from Napa Valley lore. I suppose what I took away from times with him, besides a much deeper knowledge base (he was an excellent professor!) was knowing that though we often were on different sides of issues, he believed in me and was a support. Just yesterday I jotted in journal a note about his conversations, not knowing that today I'd be informed of his passing. That lanky frame with the big smile served as a silhouette for inquiry on many levels. I'm much better today for having studied with him yesterday, and catching a glimpse of a Southern gift with wrapping that was sui generis.

George & Linda Dean

August 11, 2009

Jack was a scholar, an author, a historian but most of all he was our friend and neighbor. Jack always had a smile and a wave as we passed his house each day as he sat out on his favorite perch reading and enjoying the scenery. He loved to walk his shelties in the neighborhood with Constance. We will certainly miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Clay & Tammy Gibson

August 10, 2009

Jack was a fine neighbor. He was knowledgable on many topics and had a great sense of humor. He always had a story to share during our full moon/ bon fire parties. We will remember him sitting in his favorite spot on the balcony overseeing the neighborhood. Our thoughts are with you.

David Nolan

August 9, 2009

Jack was a notable historian who honored St. Augustine by making it his home. I am sorry we have lost him too soon, and my heart goes out to his family and loved ones.

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results