Gene is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Lou Benbow Kirby, born in Bossier City, and three sons, Robert Kirby, Richard Kirby and Mark Kirby and his wife Julie Kirby; grandchildren; Kyle, Shelby and Karley Kirby; Dustin and Dalton Kirby. He was the beloved son of Albert Eugene Kirby of Kidderminster, England and Elsie Katherine Hayes of Auburn, New York.
Gene joined the United States Air Force in October 1952. He served in the Korean and Vietnam wars as a command pilot in the Tactical Air Command. He served 23 years flying a variety of commando planes, training younger pilots, and concluded his service in 1975 in which he received the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding military service. He served at New Hampshire at a Strategic Air Command, England for 2 years, and France for 1 year, then South Carolina for 3 years, then from there the family went to Hawaii. He then served Vietnam and was stationed at Bangkok, and then retired in Austin Texas.
Gene loved being with the "love of his life," his wife, Mary Lou. They traveled the world and loved to gamble together across the U.S. Gene enjoyed telling stories, had a true love for life, giving gifts, and had a remarkable sense of humor. Later in life, he adored his favorite companion "Trouble," his faithful basset hound, who were deeply inseparable.
He will be missed dearly by all of his family and friends, his Air Force brothers, and his loving wife, Mary Lou. He will be buried alongside his longtime friend Colonel James Madry and later with their wives, Joy and Mary Lou.
The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 20, 2014 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. Graveside service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.
The family would like to thank all of the nurses and doctors at St. David's South Austin Hospital and Reliant Rehab for all of their wonderful care and support.
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