Obituary
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) John Redding Kirby, US Army, age 88, formerly of Monroe WA and Manassas VA, passed from this life at his home in Riverview FL on Thursday, February 15, 2024. The son of the late Cleo Lee Kirby and Julia Tekla Carlson Kirby, John grew up in Monroe, Washington. He was born on the 4th of July 1935 in Everett, Washington and attended Monroe High School. John was very involved in athletics and, particularly basketball, for which he was given the nickname “Jumpin’ John” Kirby. He led the Monroe High School basketball team to a State Championship two years in a row. He then attended the University of Washington where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree and later Boston University from which he received his Master of Arts degree.
At the age of 22, John was commissioned into the Army. John served in Army Intelligence Command (AIC) in Europe in the late 50s, early 60s and later served two tours in Vietnam as a Counterintelligence specialist with the AIC. For his outstanding service to the United States of America, John was awarded the following: Bronze Star Medal (BSM), Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), Joint Service Commendation Medal (JSCM), National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM), Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFRM), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (RVNGallantryCrossUCitaw/Palm), and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVNCM).
Following his retirement from the Army, John and the family moved to Manassas VA where he worked for Prince William County Library as a research specialist. He was an elder in their church and enjoyed gardening. John loved the Lord, he loved his wife, he loved his family. He also loved a good cup of coffee, especially in his final days. He was kind and thought kindly of those around him. He reminisced that what he missed most was walking. He loved the mountains in his youth.
John is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sarah Cassell, his brother Craig Lee Kirby (Micheline), his sons: Erik Kirby (Barbara) and Craig Kirby, his grandchildren: Elizabeth Kirby and William Kirby.
A burial service will be held in his honor at Sarasota National Cemetery, (9810 State Rd. 72 Sarasota FL 34241) on March 4, 2024 at 10:30am.