Jerry Lynn Kirves

Jerry Lynn Kirves, 79, peacefully shrugged off his mortal coil at home on the evening of November 10, 2024, despite the best-laid plans of his beloved family. True to form, Jerry was strong and bullheaded to the very end and got exactly what he wanted.

Born on November 29, 1944, in Millville, New Jersey, Jerry was the son of Robert Armstrong Kirves and Margret Jean Lang. Raised in Evansville, Indiana, Jerry was a proud graduate of Bosse High School and the University of Evansville.

After completing his education, Jerry joined the Army, where he served as a medic in Japan during the Vietnam War, eventually earning the rank of sergeant. He often joked that his time as a neuropsychiatric tech gave him the eccentricities and patience to deal with the colorful chaos of his family. The day before his departure from Japan, Jerry broke his leg, sliding into home during a nailbiter of a baseball game. This prompted him to leave the world of sport and adventure behind and turn to more cerebral pursuits.

Upon returning home, Jerry pursued a degree in computer science. During this time, Jerry secured an internship at the NASA Marshall space flight Center prompting him to later inform his family that he was indeed a rocket scientist. Jerry then went on to work for General Foods, which later became Kraft Foods. His career took him across the country, much to the delight of his daughter and the chagrin of his wife. Jerry retired in 2007, deciding it was high time to leave the tech world behind and pass the reins to his daughter, Amy.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Mark Allen Kirves and Linda Darlene Kirves Burckhart.

He is survived by his wife, Sue Carolyn Hendricks Kirves, who managed to keep him in check for the better part of 51 years. He is also survived by his daughter, Amy Jo Kirves Gibson; his favorite son-in-law, William Bo Gibson; and his two grandchildren, Justin James Gibson and Maysen Marie Gibson, who were the lights of his life and his greatest pride.

Jerry leaves behind a wealth of nieces, nephews, and extended family who he loved dearly, each of whom will carry a piece of his memory forward.

A true original, Jerry will be missed for his unwavering independence, his dry wit, and the love he showed to his family and friends. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.