Captain Thomas Michael Kirby, USN, Ret., 79, died December 17, 2025, at Fort Sam Houston, TX, after a long illness. Born in Akron, OH, on December 21, 1945, Tom always claimed Texas as his home state because he “was started there” and it wasn’t his fault the family moved before he could be born. The son and grandson of naval officers, Tom attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and graduated in 1969 with degrees in physics and mechanical engineering.
After graduation, Tom attended flight school at Naval Air Station Pensacola Florida. During his 1971 tour of duty in Vietnam, he flew UH-1 “Huey” helicopters with the Navy’s Helicopter Attack (Light) Three Squadron (HAL-3), also known as the Seawolves, providing close air support, reconnaissance, and MEDEVAC for SEALS and riverine forces. Following a stint as flight instructor at NAS Pensacola, he continued his naval career as a reserve intelligence officer attached to the 7th Fleet while simultaneously working in the oil and gas industry as a physicist and engineer. In 1997, he returned to active duty, spending the next 20 years working with Naval Communications Systems based in Bahrain, attached to the 5th Fleet. He retired from the Navy in 2017, ending a career that spanned 52 years.
He did not retire from work, however, as he was not a person to sit around. He continued his work in the oil and gas industry until his illness overtook him. He also was a deacon of the Roman Catholic Church, affiliated with the Discalced Carmelite Friars, and a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Calvert and Mary Virginia (nee O’Hara) Kirby; sister, Mary Majella Kirby; and grandson, Michael Jerome Kirby.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Kwang Ja Kirby; two sons, Thomas Michael Kirby, Jr., and Oliver Calvert Kirby; his brother, Charles Calvert Kirby, Jr.; sister, Anne Marie Kirby; and a great-granddaughter, Arya Peyton Kirby
A Rosary will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, with mass following at 11:00 am.
Interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to American Cancer Society of Texas and to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
