Fred Morgan Kirby III

1953 - 2021

Fred Morgan Kirby, III
January 14, 1953 - December 7, 2021
Greensboro, North Carolina - Fred Morgan Kirby III passed away unexpectedly on December 7, 2021 in his adopted hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina leaving behind an extensive band of family and friends to mourn his passing.
Born on January 14, 1953 to Fred Morgan Kirby II and Walker Dillard Kirby, Fred was raised in Chatham Township, New Jersey. A gifted athlete, Fred dazzled spectators with his speed and agility on the football field, off the diving board, in the boxing ring, on the wrestling mat and, perhaps most especially, on the running track, where he held several school records as a sprinter in high school and junior college.
He was a graduate of Chatham Township High School, where he met the love of his life and "earth angel", Barbara Carlin. They were married on August 4, 1979. Soon after Fred graduated from Lafayette College in 1980, the newlyweds moved to California, where he received an MBA degree from Azusa Pacific University. Family and professional opportunity then attracted the couple to North Carolina: first Raleigh, where their beloved daughter, Leigh, was born in 1986; then Greensboro, where they happily resided until Barbara's passing after a long illness in 2013. Fred remained in their family home there, active as a private investor; a voracious reader, especially of works on finance and business; and a loving son, father, brother and uncle. He served as a trustee of Greensboro Day School and as a director of both the F. M. Kirby Foundation (Morristown, NJ), and the Jessie A. Kirby Episcopal House (Mountain Top, PA).
Fred was on one hand reserved, thoughtful and conservative; on the other, a calculated risk-taker. He loved fast cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles and airplanes, often testing the airborne capabilities of each. He would perform acrobatic maneuvers impulsively, including backflips off of most anything, stair walking on his hands and trick dives, frequently to the fright of poolside onlookers. His skiing on snow or water was artistry in motion.
Fred is survived by his devoted daughter, Leigh Kirby Klein (Jon) of Raleigh, NC and New York City; and three loving siblings: Alice Horton (George) of Durham, NC; Dillard Kirby (Adrienne) and Jeff Kirby (Karen), each of New Vernon, NJ. He also leaves behind his loyal Carlin in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery (3901 Forest Lawn Drive, Greensboro, NC). In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift "in memory of Fred Kirby" to either Greensboro Day School (5401 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC 27455) or the North Carolina Museum of Art, NCMA Foundation (4630 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699).
Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is assisting the Kirby family with arrangements. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be made at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.