Weldon O. Kirby

Memorial service: 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9, in the sanctuary of Broadway Baptist Church, Fort Worth.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the SPCA, Broadway Baptist Church Baptist Center or a charity of choice.

Weldon was born June 3, 1931, in Rendon and lived in the Fort Worth area for most of his life. He was the seventh of 10 children born to Charles F. and Katie O'Bannon Kirby. At the age of 5, upon the death of his mother, Weldon and six of his siblings went to live at the Lena Pope Home in Fort Worth. He always considered his upbringing at the home his greatest blessing and credits Lena Pope and the home for his accomplishments in life. He served on the alumni board of the Lena Pope Home for many years and it was at an alumni reunion where he reconnected with his dear wife, Judy.

He was a graduate of Arlington Heights High School, Class of 1950, where he excelled in both academics and sports, especially football. He served his country as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He then attended Texas Christian University while working at the Lena Pope Home. He worked a variety of jobs during his working life and retired from Yellow Freight after 20-plus years of service.

Weldon was a man of faith who enjoyed computers and reading. In his youth, he was an athlete and avid runner. He was an accomplished dancer and enjoyed good music, old westerns and the Dallas Cowboys. He loved the Lord, Broadway Baptist Church and his church family. His greatest joy was getting together with family and friends. You never saw Weldon without a smile on his face or a twinkle in his eye.

We will miss his charming sense of humor, bright smile and infectious laugh.

He was predeceased in death by his former wife, Jean Kirby; his six brothers; and his beloved sister, Lill.

Survivors: His devoted wife, Judy Kirby; son, Kevin Kirby and wife, Rhonda; daughter, Kelly Sistrunk; stepdaughter, Rene Farrar and husband, Jimmy Fields; stepson, Tracy Shaffer; three grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; sisters, Kay Black and Zadie Sanders and her husband, Blake Sanders, of Hico; and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements under the direction of Shannon Rufe Snow Drive Funeral Chapel, Fort Worth, TX.