Thurman H. Kirby Jr.

Thurman H. Kirby, Jr., better known as Junior Kirby, 80 years old, a lifelong resident of Franklin County, Arkansas, departed this earth for God’s heavenly kingdom on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Junior was a resident of Ozark. Junior was born October 11, 1943, in the Oak Bend community to Thurman H. and Millie Stiles Kirby and was the oldest of their three sons. Junior attended school at Branch Grade School in Branch prior to attending the relatively new County Line High School in Branch, where he graduated in 1961. Junior’s high school sweetheart and future wife, Rosemary Dunn of Cecil, was in his graduating class. During his school years, Junior worked in his community, milking cows, hauling hay and doing various tasks for local farmers and ranchers near his home. He worked before school, after school and during the summer. After graduating, he began his service to his country by serving in the US Army for three years, starting in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He also spent time serving in Aberdeen, Maryland, and Ludwigsberg, Germany, and finished his service in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Junior worked as a Ford Registered Technician for Anderson Whitson Ford Motor Company in Ozark for ten years prior to beginning his employment with Chrisman Ready Mix based out of Ozark. At Chrisman Ready Mix, Junior started the rock crushing project and became the foreman for the Ozark, Ratcliff and Clarksville quarries, where he worked for 25 years before retiring. Junior married the love of his life, Rosemary Dunn, on October 19, 1963, which resulted in 60 wonderful years of marriage. Junior and Rosemary had one son, Robert Alan Kirby, in 1969. After gaining a daughter-in-law, Chassie Kirby, they were blessed with a grandson, Taylor Kirby, and a granddaughter, Madison Kirby. Although Robert and his family lived in Springdale, Taylor and Madison came to Ozark to spend time with their grandparents, Junior and Rosemary, nearly every weekend. Both grandchildren went to church at Junior and Rosemary’s home church, Oak Grove Community Church in Cecil. Junior was a deacon and member of Oak Grove Community Church and a member of the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed participating in tractor pulls, along with a local tractor club, and restoring antique tractors. Junior also held a commercial pilot license and enjoyed flying and being part of a local pilot group, which included his good friends, Lonnie Turner, Glen Morris and Robert Chrisman. Junior and Lonnie also spent many hours together restoring old army jeeps. He was very mechanically inclined and routinely worked on mechanical projects. Rosemary never had to worry about anything being out of service at their home or elsewhere because Junior could fix nearly anything. His niece, Brooke Anne Dunn, would always say concerning her broken toys, “Take it to Uncle Junior; he will fix it,” and he always did. Junior was a supportive family member, faithful to his church and community and a dear friend to many. One thing was certain, you always knew how Junior stood on matters, and you never had to doubt he meant what he said. He will be greatly missed. Junior is survived by his wife, Rosemary Dunn Kirby; son, Robert Kirby and wife Chassie ; and two grandchildren, Taylor and Madison Kriby. He is also survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Courtney and Anne Dunn. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, two brothers, Jerry Kirby and Ronald Kirby, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Davis “Jack” and Maxine Dunn. Visitation will be 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M., Friday, November 17, 2023, at Shaffer Funeral Home, 2315 West Commercial Street in Ozark. Funeral service will be 2:00 P.M., Friday, November 17, 2023 at Shaffer Funeral Home Chapel in Ozark, with Brother James (Buddy) Corbell officiating, with burial at Eubanks Cemetery Highway 96 West in Cecil, Arkansas. Junior’s pallbearers are Courtney Dunn, Monte Canady, Lonnie Turner, Glen Morris, David Morris and Jerry Banning. Honorary pallbearers are John Milam, Gary Barnes, James Wayne Nichols, Bill Brandt, Roger Tomilson, Michael Casey, and Joe Hobbs. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that memorial donations be made to Oak Grove Community Church, 5108 W. Highway 96 Cecil, Arkansas 72930.

Thurman H. Kirby Jr.

October 11, 1943 - November 15, 2023