Mark Brian Kirby

June 20, 1949 – April 22, 2025

Mark Brian Kirby, 75, of Arlington, Texas, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, after a four-year journey with lung cancer.

He was born in Clark Air Force Base, Philippines in 1949 to Mary Anna (Couser) Kirby and Vernon Victor Kirby Jr. M.D. Mark attended Highland Park High School and Arlington High School before joining the U.S. Navy Reserve.

Mark met the love of his life, Lou, in 1990 at church in Kennedale, Texas. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married May 25th, 1991, in Arlington.

Mark always wanted to be a father. Mark and Lou had two boys, John and Paul. Dad loved hunting, camping, and attending car shows with us.

Dad had a soft spot for his bird hunting dog, Lance, treating him like the beloved family member he was. In his final days, Dad was looking forward to seeing Lance again in heaven.

Mark was a member of the Texas Western Model Railroad Club, the Golden Triangle Radio Control Club, the Sports Car Club of America, the North Texas Fiero club, and the Cowtown Vettes Corvette club. He was very proud of his Atomic Orange Z06 Corvette and had fun cruising and racing at club events with John. In the 1980s, he was a pro-rally driver and competed in his Chevrolet Monza. Dad always looked forward to the annual Olney One Arm Dove Hunt, where he made friends with fellow amputees. He donated to the Battleship Texas Foundation and eagerly followed its restoration. Mark also enjoyed having breakfast with his Vought Aircraft breakfast buddies each Thursday.

Mark's hobbies and interests helped define who he was. He enjoyed hunting, watching and participating in auto racing, attending car shows, stamp collecting, and model aircraft and ship building. In the 2010s, dad loved spending his weekends attending local car shows, showing off his sports cars with his sons. His passion for cars was something he shared with his children, leaving a mark on us that will never fade. Dad would often spend Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holidays on the Kirby family ranch with his extended family.

Mark will always be remembered for his outspokenness, patriotism, and honesty. Since dad’s cancer diagnosis, he would often say he was “hard to kill,” as he survived stage four small cell lung cancer for nearly four years. One of our favorite quotes of his was, “As you get older, you have to keep gaining some weight in order to keep the wrinkles pushed out! It's worked GREAT for me.” We couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated and responsible husband and father, and will miss him every day. Mark’s memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.

Mark is survived by his wife Lou (Casalla) Kirby, sons John Robert Kirby (and his wife Kasey Alyssa (Nieman) Kirby) and Paul Brian Kirby, and his granddaughter, Mila Elizabeth Kirby.

Mark is also survived by his twin brother Clark Alan Kirby (and his wife Patty (Smith) Kirby), sisters Janet Alene Kirby M.D. and Diane Patricia Thornton (and her husband Danny Thornton), as well as many friends and extended family members who will miss him dearly.

A visitation for Mark will be held Monday, May 5, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home, 4216 South Bowen Road, Arlington, TX 76016. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 11:00 AM, 4216 South Bowen Road, Arlington, TX 76016. A committal service will occur Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 2:15 PM at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211.