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Paul Kirby Obituary
1965 - 2015
On April 17th, 2015 Dr. Paul Kirby, Educator/Administrator succumbed from the effects of a severe stroke. Highly esteemed, he leaves a significant void in the public school system and academic community. Born January 24, 1965 a son of Fred and Leola Kirby, he spent his formative years in Kaysville, Utah where his numerous achievements are legendary. He was awarded first place State Winner Sterling Scholar, earned an academic/music scholarship at U. of U., a member of Owl and Key honor society, named to Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key and Skull and Bones. Graduated Cum Laude in Spanish and Political Science. Later attended the Universidad de Salamanca (Spain) for studies in language and literature. He attained the rank of Eagle and during the 80's he became a member of the Lagoon Show Band and fulfilled an LDS mission to the Honduras.
From the 90's to the present, his exceptional accomplishments include: M.A., M.Ed. and Ph.D.. Assistant principal at West Jordan, Brighton and Hillcrest High Schools. Spanish teacher for Judge Memorial, Rowland Halls, Copper Hills and Treasure Mountain School Park City, Utah. 1997 he became a recipient of a Fulbright-Hays award. 2008 he visited Beijing, China with a delegation team of educators. In 2011 chosen "Assistant Principal of the Year." .
A true linguist and fine musician, his talents were specialized and revered; raising the proverbial bar of excellence for all. His strong conviction and fortitude coupled with a zeal to empower others - defines his brief, highly successful life.
Dr. Kirby is survived by his two sisters, Kristeen Polhamus (Gene) and Annette Denucci (Frank) also countless nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by his parents and one brother.
Funeral services are scheduled for noon April 25, 2015 at Murray Stake Center 1830 East 6400 South. Visitations for friends and family 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Interment Logan City Cemetery.
Paul * our shining light of inspired brilliance, lives on through his incredible legacy.
Online condolences www.cannonmortuary.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Paul Kirby
Sponsored by Cannon Mortuary.
Shirley Hendren
April 16, 2019
Paul was an extremely kind and caring person to everyone he came in contact with. It was my privilege to work closely with him at Hillcrest. He was the same outside of the school environment. There would be a lot more success in schools if all administrators were as caring. He was a great friend and a great role model.
Tim Brooks
June 9, 2015
Paul, I will miss you. Thank you for your insightful, meticulous, and kind tutoring as I mentored under you in my administrative program in 2007. You are hilarious, wise, and I will miss you. Atentamente, tu amigo
May 13, 2015
I worked with Dr. Paul Kirby at Brighton in the EdNet Dept for 4 years and at Hillcrest for 4 years. Such a caring Individual. Always made time for everyone and made you feel important. Had a Heart of Gold...He will truly be missed..
Teresa Myers
Munzert Family
May 8, 2015
I was so sorry to hear about Mr. Kirby's passing. My son was a special needs student at Hillcrest and Mr. Kirby always had time to talk with him. I will always be grateful for his kindness and patience with my son.
Cindi Pugmire
May 2, 2015
So sorry to hear of Paul's sudden passing. I worked with him at Brighton High School, and remember fondly our association. He was a great guy, administrator and friend. I will miss seeing him.
Gracie, Cece, Marie & Michael Otto
April 25, 2015
Paul's legacy will live on in the achievements of the students who he taught, advised, encouraged and inspired. We are grateful that his career path crossed with our family's attendance at Hillcrest High School. The Otto family sincerely appreciates his contributions to the Hillcrest community and to our students' experiences in high school. We hope his family members' fondest memories of Paul will sustain them when they miss his most.
Shirley Hendren
April 24, 2015
Dr. Kirby (Paul) was a very kind man who loved helping people(students) no matter their circumstances. I very much enjoyed the talks we had about many different subjects and was impressed with his constant desire to continue learning. He was a great friend and will be missed.
Stuart McDonald
April 24, 2015
Thanks for being friendly and kind to me when I was the Graduate Program secretary at the foreign languages department at the University of Utah in the early 1990s and you were a Spanish Program graduate student and Teaching Assistant in that department at the same time. That meant a lot to me. You did real good and obviously made a great impact for good in many lives. I was lucky to have known you.
Brad Overall
April 24, 2015
Was a great vice principal at Hillcrest. Will be missed
Brent Wright
April 23, 2015
Very sorry to hear about Paul. What a list of accomplishments since our Davis HS and Lagoon Show Band days! I'm happy he got around in the world. He obviously touched people in a positive way.
Sincere condolences.
Paul Braman
April 23, 2015
Paul was a great mentor and friend when I began my teaching career at BHS in 2006. I will miss his cluttered office and his great spirit.
Douglas Jensen
April 23, 2015
Paul and I studied together for the MA in Spanish at the UofU, and I was happy to be reunited with him during his doctoral work which, typical of Paul, aimed to improve the classroom methods of Spanish teachers in the area. Great memories, great friend.
kathy suds
April 23, 2015
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
April 22, 2015
Paul is a gifted educator and thoughtful friend. His positive influence on many, many individuals (students, parents, friends, acquaintances) will be greatly missed. - Stephanie Allen
Gary Tingey
April 22, 2015
Paul was a great friend and I enjoyed working with him at the different high schools. Everyone who worked with Paul had a good word to say about him!
April 22, 2015
He was one to always, always have a kind word or inspirational thought to share. Plus he would smile all the time. I appreciated all his efforts in the public school district and his efforts individually for my children who went there. A great man! Stephanie J. Powell
April 22, 2015
The Olsen family will miss Dr. Kirby very much and we are so glad that our family had the opportunity to work with him and feel of his dedication and love for the students at Hillcrest. He became a friend and wise counselor as we supported the Arts at Hillcrest. As our daughter expressed, "I loved Dr. Kirby".
April 22, 2015
The Hillcrest Performing Arts Assoc. loved Dr. Kirby and we will miss him very much! He was a constant and committed champion of all the students in the Performing Arts Dept. and they knew he was cheering for their development and success. Many have expressed their gratitude for the time he spent with them during the recent tour and they will long remember his awesome dance floor moves! His positive influence impacted our lives and we are all better because of his friendship.
April 22, 2015
I worked for Paul at Brighton HS. He was always busily engaged in working for the students. He was so very educated himself and advocated for the foreign language and music programs, which my children participated in. He will be missed and so sorry to hear of his passing. Debbie Boucha
Jeri Miyatake
April 22, 2015
Having worked with Paul at both Brighton and Hillcrest, I can truly say he was the kindest,
most supportive person I know. He truly had a
heart of gold and was never too busy to talk to anyone. I feel honored to have been a small part of his big life.
April 22, 2015
We will miss Dr. Kirby so very much. He was always an inspiration to students and parents alike. His example, kindness, and expertise will be remembered with gratitude and love. His sudden passing has left all of us shocked and saddened. As our kids would say, he was awesome! Our sincere condolences to his family, he was loved by all who had the blessing of knowing him and feeling his influence. - The McMillan family.
April 22, 2015
Paul Kirby was the greatest, most supportive and kind Vice Principal. We had so much fun with him at Brighton High. He was always so good to his lady assistants and the teachers. Paul will always be in my heart. My deepest condolences to his family. Meg h.
Deanne Curtis
April 22, 2015
I had the opportunity of working with Paul at both West Jordan High and Brighton High. I will cherish the memories of those times. Paul had a great love of education and he wanted nothing more than to help those around him succeed. Thanks for being my friend, I will miss you.
Emerson Boyd
April 22, 2015
What a joy he was to work with--He will be missed greatly.
Marcella VanRenselaar
April 22, 2015
There are no words to say how much we will miss you. We loved you dearly. Thank you for sharing your life with us. You were a gift.
Marilyn Light
April 21, 2015
I have worked with Dr. Kirby at Hillcrest on the PTSA and as a parent with my students. He was very kind and helped us with whatever was needed. I have heard kind things from several students. We will miss you very much.
April 21, 2015
Paul showed compassion for all students at Hillcrest High School. He had a true love for learning and the desire to help all students achieve their educational goals. He was a kind and sincere man who will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched.
__Jan Maack
Lisa Prudden
April 21, 2015
Kirby was a great man to work with. I will miss his gracious nature and his love of education. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and students.
Ken Bingham
April 21, 2015
I knew Paul growing up in in Kaysville. He was a great guy and treated everyone nicely. It is great to see all he accomplished in a too short life.
April 21, 2015
Paul was such a great guy! I knew him at Brighton High when I was a Probation Officer at the time. When my own kids went to Hillcrest he was a fabulous support and chear leader for my kids and I am sure others in the school. My son was saddened By Pauls passing. He said Paul was one of the few who believed in and supported him.
He was a great man with a HUGE heart for what he did!
Dave Bemis
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