James Dale Kirby

1932 - 2024

BORN

1932

DIED

2024

James Kirby Obituary

James Kirby April 29, 1932 - August 18, 2024 Valyermo - The world lost an extraordinary man August 18, 2024. James Dale Kirby died at age 92 in hospice care at his home in Valyermo of cancer. Before he left us, he led an amazing, unique and adventurous life that many would envy. The youngest of 7 siblings born in Delia, Kansas on April 29, 1932, Jim came to California at age 3. Jim graduated Redondo Beach High School in 1950 and immediately joined the Navy Sea Bees (the Navy's construction division) and thus began acquiring his many can-do and it-will-happen building skills. Jim was a police motor officer for the Torrance Police Department for 7 years, riding Harley- Davidson motorcycles. Jim added welding skills (certified in all thickness and all metals) from his work at Chicago Bridge & Iron, thanks to his brother-in-law Bill Gross' guidance and encouragement. This started Jim's love of travel worldwide. He spent 3 months in Antarctica building cryogenic tanks. He welded in Spain, Borneo and Thailand. Jim's welding and fabricating expertise led to his building of a 48-foot steel ketch christened Mile High, in which he and his wife Jean lived aboard and sailed off the California coast and to Mexico's Sea of Cortez. Speaking of Mexico, Jim loved Baja camping and off-road racing there from the late 1960's until his 91st birthday, which he celebrated in Ensenada followed by his participation and finish in the 2023 NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally - Ensenada to San Jose del Cabo, Race Truck #34 Safari Class. Jim & Jean are pictured at the finish line in La Paz Mexico in National Geographic Magazine, October 1972, pg. 574. Look it up! Jim drove/rode anything with wheels from earth-moving equipment like bulldozer, and motor graders to 18 wheelers carrying corn & soybeans on his sister Bernice's farm in Rossville, Kansas to the Baja race cars and trucks, to all types of motorcycles which he also raced, to a unicycle as a member of the pep squad in high school. Jim was also a real estate broker, buying, selling and developing land including his own Mile High Ranch in Valyermo, CA. Jim & Jean hosted several family reunions, pig roasts and pre/post Baja race parties at the ranch, their home since 1972. Jim worked on, sailed to or visited all 7 continents. With his bring-it-on attitude and zest for life, Jim always said, "you are just as big as your dreams," and a nightly rum & coke, a cigar, cigarette or joint, usually topped off his day. Jim Kirby is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jean, and his two sons, Scott & Glenn Kirby, his daughter-in-law Candy Kirby, his brother-in-law Bill Gross, numerous awesome nieces and nephews and by fun & dear friends from the Crystalaire golf community, neighbors and friends from Mile High, Wrightwood and the Antelope Valley. Many special thanks to Pam Robinette RN, Jim's niece who helped immensely with Jim's hospice care and passing. In lieu of flowers please buy a "F**k Cancer" t-shirt and/or donate to the American Cancer Society. A Celebration of Life for Jim is in the planning stages to be held at Mile High Ranch.

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Published by The Antelope Valley Press on Sep. 6, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for James Kirby

8 Entries

Brad Devader

November 1, 2024

I feel very lucky to have known my great Uncle Jimmy. From following his adventures in off road racing, to learning about "bloody Marys in the morning", to visiting with he and Jean at their ranch over fish tacos. He was a great guy and I feel blessed to have had him as an Uncle.

Nancy Lee Kirby

October 6, 2024

Uncle Jimmy had a heart that was forever young and he found the perfect soul mate in his wife Jeanie.
The two of them lived life to the fullest and he loved his Kirby siblings very much. He was respectful to his mother, Vera, and treasured her. He was the kind of person who seemed ageless to me.
I loved talking to him about my father, Neil Kirby, who passed away at an early age of 42.
When ever I saw Jim, I could see my Dad. He loved his siblings and their families.
One of the stories I remember is my Grandma Vera stopped a train in the middle of the night somewhere near Roseville, Kansas.in her determined spirit to get to California she had her kids with her, Jimmy in her arms, and they all headed to California. The Kirby Family was a very close one.
Pioneer spirit, adventurous, great sense of humor and loved with all his heart.
I will miss my Uncle Jimmy.

Jack Hollywood

September 28, 2024

I am very grateful to have met and interacted with Jim at the poker table and on the golf course in his later years. What a great man he was and I am sure he will be missed by all who knew him. I am so sad to have found that he had passed. I always looked forward to seeing him at the clubhouse at breakfast and going out to smoke a cig and shoot the breeze with him. That great smile and rock solid 90 year old handshake were one of a kind. God bless you, your wife and family Jim and may you Rest In Peace. You truly lived life to its fullest and gave it your best shot.

Alan and Donna Arvesen

September 25, 2024

Our condolences to Jean and all of Jim's family. We knew Jim for many years through Crystalaire Country Club. He had great stories to tell of his many adventures, especially about his Baha racing. We are sure many others like us will miss seeing Jim's smiling face and hearing his friendly greetings. He seemed to live every moment of his life to the fullest. May he rest now in God's peace.

Paula Lautenschlager Schoorl

September 11, 2024

I worked with Jims wife Jean for many years. I was always impressed by Jims vitality and vigor for life. He always had a smile on his face. You could see his love of life in his eyes. I have many fond memories with him and Jean.
Jean you are in my thoughts

Terrence Lee Jones

September 7, 2024

Kaaren and I remembering many happy memories we were fortunate to share with Jim and Jeanie. Jim had a life well lived and will be missed by many.
Our hearts go out to Jeanie and Jim's family. RIP Jim.

Bill Cuomo

August 31, 2024

I first met Jim when I was searching for property in the hills above the desert in the Angeles National Forest area. Everywhere I looked at property for sale I saw the signs, "For Sale. Jim Kirby Real Estate." So, I decided to go and meet the man behind the sign. That was the beginning of our 46 year friendship. Hard to put into words what kind of a man Jim was because he broke the molds of most everyone I knew. Capable, funny, with keen observations regarding life, he was a one of a kind spirit. Many a night I visited at cocktail hour with Jim and Roberta Jean and we would sit on the back deck of his home, drinking rum and coke, solving the world's problems. I treasured those 10+ years I lived as his neighbor, and leaving to pursue work across country was not an easy decision to make as I missed my life in Valyermo terribly. And, will miss him now. Good bless you Mr. James Kirby for being an incredible friend over the years. My life was better for knowing you.

Cheryl & Jim Beck

August 30, 2024

Jim was always full of great stories! I always d the one he told about his days working in the Thailand jungle. After work he would hop on his rickety motor bike and follow the path to town. Here he would drink and play cards until the wee hours of the morning then back he would go to camp. One night he had trouble with a malfunctioning head light. Of course everytime he stopped in the darkness of the jungle to fix it he could hear all those menacing jungle sounds and finally decided just push on in the dark before he became breakfast for the "lions and Tigers and bears! Oh my!" In the dark he new the path by heart but couldn't see! Eventually he slammed onto something?? And from his view on ground in the early morning light he could make out the butt end of an elephant & manhute.

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