The Honorable Judge Robert William Kirby of Cherryville, N.C., known to his friends and family as Judge or Bob, passed away at the age of 92 peacefully on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Elmcroft Assisted Living in Newton, N.C.
Born October 16, 1928, he was the son of Reverend Cicero W. Kirby and Ruth McPhail Kirby.
Born in Spencer, N.C. he received his A.B. from High Point University and his L.L.B. from The University of North Carolina Law School. He served in the Army from 1952 to 1954. Kirby practiced law in Gastonia and Cherryville, N.C. before being appointed Gaston County Solicitor. He was elected to the 27th Judicial District in 1972 where he remained on the Superior Court Bench until 2000 when he retired.
Bob was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Cherryville. He was an avid Tar Heel fan and passed away watching Carolina beat N.C. State in basketball.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, June Kirby, and son, Chris Kirby.
Those left to cherish his memory are his sons, Robert Kirby Jr. and wife, Vicki of Lenexa, Kansas, and Greg Kirby of Denver, N.C.; and daughter-in-law, Michelle Kirby, of Newton N.C..; Brother Jack Kirby of Daytona Florida; 7 grandchildren, Taylor Kirby, Patrick Kirby, Gregory Kirby Jr., Emily Kirby, John Kirby Jr., William Kirby, and Anna Kirby.
A private service will be held for the family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to United Methodist Church, 601 N. Pink St, Cherryville N.C 28021 or to the Piedmont Council, Boy Scouts of America 1222 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia NC 28054.
Condolences may be sent to the Kirby family at www.willisreynoldsfh.com.
The Kirby family has entrusted the funeral arrangements to Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home in Newton, NC.
