John Henry Kirby IV

John was a native Houstonian, and considered it a great honor to be a seventh generation Texan. He attended The Kinkaid School for 12 years, graduating in 1980. The lifetime friendships he made there were defining aspects of John's life. He then attended The University of Texas, where he was a Phi Delta Theta. It was during his years at UT that continued building the most important collection of his life: a loyal and lifelong group of friends.

After graduating with a BA in Marketing, John enjoyed a successful career in Finance, working for JP Morgan Chase until his passing. Though John was one of the best in his field, his client book was considerable mostly due to the fact that his gentle soft spoken manner and kind easy going disposition won over anyone that met him. When you met John, professionally or socially, you kept him in your life on any level you could. It was a joy and an honor to know him.

John had a love for music, cars, and motorcycles. His fondest memories were of listening to "The Who" while riding his motorcycle or driving one of his sports cars through the winding country roads of Texas. John's other true loves were his family, friends and wife with a softness that brought tears to his eyes when he spoke of them.

He is survived by his wife, Kristin; his mother, Jo Ann; his niece, Kathleen; and a host of loving family. He was preceded in death by his father, John Henry Kirby III; and his sister, Kathleen Chandler Kirby Young.

The memorial service is to be conducted at three o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 29th of November, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where Rev. Charles Thompson, Executive Pastor at First United Methodist Church-Downtown Campus, is to officiate.

Honorary pallbearers during the services are Andy Bell, Layne Chaney, Gary Freeman, Jay Kirby, Robert Kirby, Trey Mayfield, Jeff McCrosky, Cliff Roberts, Blake Tartt, and Chris Young.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet John’s family during a reception to be held at River Oaks Country Club, 1600 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, hosted by his childhood friend Blake Tartt.