Joe Wesley Kirby

Joe Wesley Kirby 1935 – 2017, age 82, passed away peacefully July 22, 2017 in Bakersfield, California. He was born November 3, 1935 in Drake, Oklahoma to the late Sood and Lena Mozell (Browning) Kirby.

Joe grew up in the Sulphur, OK area. Following high school, he joined the United States Navy, serving with the U.S. Navy Seabees as a heavy equipment operator. While serving in the Navy, Joe attended Naval Academic schools where he obtained all seven of the Seabee ratings. Following a 21-year career with the United States Navy, Joe retired as a Chief Petty Officer on June 6, 1983.

Joe is survived by his loving wife Rita Adele Kirby of Encinitas, CA; son Danny Lopez of Eastvale, CA, daughter Dione Rubio of Encinitas, CA; brother Jack Kirby of Sulphur, OK, sisters Sue Dean Grantham of Stratford, Margaret “Sissy” Dickie of Oklahoma City, Reta Fires of Sulphur, Sharon Garrison of Mill Creek, Karen White of Sulphur and Jana Eldred of Oklahoma City; as well as four grandchildren, Brandee Lopez, Danielle Benson, Ryan Rubio and Danielle Rubio; and great-grandson, Gavin Benson and his many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by three sisters, Betty Kirby, Berva Wilson and Retha Cravatt and brother David Kirby.

Graveside memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, November 11, 2017 at the Oaklawn Cemetery in Sulphur, Oklahoma, with Jack Eldred officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Chickasaw Nation Honor Guard.