Kirby Earle Boner

Kirby Boner, 71, of Tampa, FL, passed away on October 15, 2024. Kirby was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, coworker, and friend to many. His smile and sense of humor will live on in the memories of all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Kirby was born on September 19, 1953 to Nellie Ray Boner (Bennett) and Earle Richard Boner in Lincoln, IL. His first home was a small apartment in Rantoul, IL, where his father was stationed at Chanute Air Force Base during the Korean War. Kirby grew up in Le Roy and later Mendota, where his parents pursued careers in public education. Kirby graduated from Mendota High School in 1971 and went on to study Political Science at Illinois Valley Community College, earning his A.A. in 1973. He graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from Illinois State University in 1975. Kirby soon began his first job teaching English and History at Wyanet and Putnam County High Schools. In 1981, he was hired by Wright Line to sell office furniture in central Illinois. Less than a year later, he moved with his family to Rockledge, FL to continue a successful 36-year career in office furniture sales. He eventually became a manager for Marvel and Southeastern Regional Manager for Indiana Furniture, where he finally served as their training manager.

Kirby met his wife, Suzanne Mortonson, in Mendota in 1960. She was the love of his life from an early age. As childhood playmates, Kirby and Suzanne spent time playing baseball and riding their bicycles together. Over the years, Suzanne babysat his siblings, taught his younger brother how to swim, and became his best friend. Kirby and Suzanne began dating in 1971 and were married on August 1, 1975. Their first son, Patrick, was born in Princeton, IL in 1979. Three years later, they welcomed their second son, Mitchell, into the world. Kirby often traveled for work but made time in the summer for memorable family vacations to destinations such as the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde National Park, and Washington, DC. He also spent several summer holidays with his family in Chicago following the conclusion of the annual trade show, NeoCon, every June. Later in life, he became a regular patron and employee of Tampa Bay Downs.

Kirby was an avid reader and lifelong baseball fan. He read everything he could find about World War 2, a subject that fascinated him from childhood. As a member of the high school debate team, he competed at state and national tournaments under the leadership of his coach, Stephen Warren, whose military experience in the Pacific Theater inspired Kirby’s lifelong interest in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Kirby also delighted in the novels of Larry McMurtry and Patrick O’Brian. As a child, he idolized Mickey Mantle and always rooted for the Yankees. Ever loyal to the Bronx Bombers after moving to Florida, he saw his favorite team play the Tampa Bay Rays nearly every season. When the Yankees were in town, you might have caught Kirby and Suzanne in the stands cheering for different teams. The two were faithful fans of the Florida Gators men’s basketball team, cheering them on to two national championships.

Kirby is preceded in death by his mother and father, his sister, Kelly, and his brother, Martin. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne, children, Patrick and Mitchell (Jacqueline Quintrall), brother-in-law, Michael Conrad, grandchildren, Annabel, Emma, Benjamin, Andrew, and Wyatt, and nephews, Matthew, Kyle, and Kirby.

The family kindly requests that flowers not be purchased. Instead, donations can be made in his honor to the Wounded Warrior Project or the V Foundation.

Kirby’s celebration of life will be held at 11am on Saturday, November 9, at Blount & Curry Funeral Home in Carrollwood, located at 3207 W. Bearss Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33618. The family will recieve friends one hour prior starting at 10am.