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Visalia, California

Bob Kirby Obituary

Bob Kirby Bobby Lee Kirby peacefully left this Earth on Saturday, December 15, 2012 in Visalia, CA. He was 81. Bob was born on March 13, 1931 in Everton, MO to Hobart and Nellie Kirby and moved to Visalia as a young boy. He graduated Visalia Union High School in 1949. Bob enlisted in the Army in 1951 and served in the Korean War until his discharge as a Sergeant in 1954. Following his discharge with the rank of Sergeant, he returned to Visalia where he received an Associate Degree in police science from the College of the Sequoias in 1955 and a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology from Fresno State University in 1957. Shortly after that, he moved to Elko, NV where he eventually joined the Elko City Police Department where he served for 20 years retiring as the Chief of Police in 1991. Bob returned to Visalia and married Betty Myers Gavotto in December of 2005. Bob loved to fish, hunt and sometimes just sit on the porch and look at the stars above the wide open spaces around Elko. He had an amazing respect for nature and was an avid photographer. He was also famous for his day trips down any dirt and gravel roads he could find and usually had the flat tires to prove it! He was proud of his long memberships in VFW Post 2350 in Elko and the Shriner's Organization and his attainment of a 32nd Degree Mason. He was also an active member of the Visalia Union High School class of 1949 and played on the 1949 Champion football team at the College of the Sequoias. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Hobart and Nellie Kirby and Brother Larry. He is survived by his wife, Betty, his sister, Mary Lou Brown and his brother, Jimmy Kirby all of Visalia, CA. He will be especially missed by his step-son Robert Myers of Visalia, step-daughter Melinda Myers-Reum of Gillette, WY who were both proud to call him Dad. Nieces Susan Brown of Visalia and Kathy Juarez of Fresno; nephews, Bill Brown of San Rafael, CA, and Michael Kirby of Visalia and numerous great nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. Services and a Celebration of Bob's life will be held at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA. on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 12 Noon with burial immediately following at the Visalia District Cemetery. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be sent in Bob's name to the Northeastern Nevada Museum, 1515 Idaho St., Elko, NV 89801.

Published by Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Adv-Register on Dec. 18, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
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3 Entries

Although Bob was older than I am, I always liked his stories and stopped to visit him in Elko when we were driving east. His brother Larry and I were classmates. As another Kirby "cousin," I send the family my condolences.

Margot Schmidt Haertel

January 4, 2013

BOB was a good man and a loyal Kirby cousin. I will miss connecting with him
on our earthly journey to count our family blessings.

Loretta Schmidt

December 20, 2012

So sorry to hear of the loss of fellow classmate and good friend. Sincere condolence to all family members.

Don Beene

December 18, 2012

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