Thomas E. Kirby Jr.

KIRBY, Thomas Eusebius, Jr., departed this life on September 9, 2013. A cancer survivor, he was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Betty Carr Kirby; his sisters Kathryn Russell Kirby Hawthorne and Virginia Lee Kirby Fulford. He was the son of the late Carrie Moss Russell Kirby and Thomas Eusebius Kirby, Sr. of Raleigh, N.C. He is survived by his children Carolyn K. Badraun of Jacksonville, Fl.; Nancy K. Schenk (Bob); Robin K. Nooney; and Mary Susan Kirby Warwick (Bill), all of Richmond, Va.; and his grandchildren Mary Kathryn Schenk, Brian Patrick Nooney (Brooke) and Emily Elizabeth Warwick, as well as his nieces and nephew. Born November 9, 1924 in Richmond, Va., he served in the U.S. Navy in WWII and graduated in Textile Engineering from North Carolina State University, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Following his mill days at Burlington Industries, he joined Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., retiring as Director EPA/OSHA Coordination, Flexible Packaging Division after 33 years of service. As an inventor, he produced many patents for the company. He was an activist in the Oxford Civic Association, and was known for his tireless work with city officials on behalf of his community. He enjoyed reciting poetry and composing poems. He authored the genealogy of his mother's family, the Russells of Clarksville, complete with photographs and childhood memories. He and his wife enjoyed gardening and their yard was included in Oxford garden tours. He enjoyed politics, a good healthy debate, and logical thinking. He was a man of integrity and worth. His family, friends and neighbors will miss him very much. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Woody's Funeral Home Chapel, 1771 N. Parham Road, Richmond, Va. 23229 with a reception immediately following. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 2151, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38101-2151; Operation Smile, 6435 Tidewater Dr., Norfolk, VA. 23509, or a charity of your choice.