Obituary of James Dale Kirby

James Dale Kirby February 18, 1948 - August 13, 2013 Funeral services for James D. Kirby, 65 of Lovington, NM, will be held on Monday, August 19, 2013 at 10:00 am NM time at First United Methodist Church in Lovington with Reverend Dave Whitman officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home. James was born on February 18, 1948 in Pecos, Texas to Herman Cy and Lula Mae (Yarbrough) Kirby and passed away at his home on August 13, 2013. He married Bettye Holland Cramer on August 21, 1986 in Kermit, Texas. James had a very versatile career from being a diesel mechanic and owning and operating his own business in Kermit then later becoming a Funeral Director/Embalmer, which had been a lifelong desire of his. He was the kind of person that if he set his mind to do something, he learned how to do it well and didn’t quit till he had it right. His talents were numerous and his compassion with the families he served at the funeral home were unmatched. He was a charter EMT member of the Kermit Ambulance service, a 32nd degree Mason and Past Master of Lovington Lodge #46, member of Order of Eastern Star Chapter # 35 in Lovington, a generous and good-hearted man serving his community in whatever capacity he could. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son: Robert Cy Kirby; one brother: Terry Kirby and one sister: Charlotte Kirby. He is survived by his wife, Bettye of the home, one daughter: Linda Alexander of Valley View, TX; three step-daughters: Twyla and husband Eddie Pruett of Bixby, OK; Tanya and husband Johnny Mack Owen II of Jal, NM and Trisha and husband Johnny Mack Rounds II of Batesville, Arkansas; one step-son: J. D. and wife Kim Cramer of Mertzon, TX; one brother: Johnny and wife Janice Kirby of Harlingen, TX and one step-sister: Barbara Hancock of San Antonio, TX. ; His cousin: Suzanne Hill of Odessa, TX; 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren and 3 nephews: Mark and wife Lori White of Hobbs, NM, James Kirby of Odessa, TX and Glenn Hancock of San Antonio, TX and two nieces: Laura Kirby of Harlingen, TX and Amanda Kirby of Odessa, TX and a host of friends. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2013 from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the funeral home with family there from 3:00-5:00 pm. Condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com.