IN  MEMORIAM:  JAY  KIRBY 

April 12,1940 - September 23, 2019

(on the shoulder of Route 20 near Hardscrabble - August, 2015)

PHOTO COURTESY OF: MICHELE WILLIAMS

After a very courageous and tough fight, Jay Kirby succumbed to his injuries as a result of being hit by a car while riding his bike on rt 1 on Sept 11th. Although we grieve for our loss, we thank you for your vigilance, prayers, and blessings during this most difficult time. 

Michele Williams

CARDS AND NOTES OF CONDOLENCE MAY BE SENT TO MICHELE AND MEMBERS OF JAYS FAMILY TO: Michele Williams 17436 Slipper Shell Way, Unit 2 Lewes, DE 1995 DONATIONS The family request that donations be made to the Fuller Center for Housing: Online:  http://weblink.donorperfect.com/TheFullerCenterForHousing/JayKirbyTribute By Mail: The Fuller Center, PO Box 523, Americus, GA 31709  (Please specify in memory of Jay Kirby)

Jay's Obituary

Lloyd Junior Kirby, better known as “Jay”, passed on from this life to the next on September 23, 2019 with his wife and children by his side. He was 79.

Born on April 12, 1940 in Freemont, North Carolina to the late John Lloyd and Rebecca Jane Kirby, Jay was one of six children. His early years were spent working in cotton and tobacco fields in North Carolina and later in the chicken houses beside his father in Delaware.  He mentioned several times that he had to get up early to work in the chicken houses before school.  Through these experiences, he learned the importance of a hard days’ work as well as compassion and loyalty to family. His parents raised him to be a true southern gentleman; with manners, humility and a “country boy” accent that he never lost. 

In 1949, the Kirbys moved to Sussex County, Delaware, a place Jay would call “home” for the next 70 years.  Jay was a 1959 graduate of Millsboro High School and attended his yearly reunions. Jay went on to serve his country in the United States Navy and was stationed in San Diego, CA.

In 1961, he married his first love, Patricia Fisher of Millsboro. In 1963, while he was deployed out to sea, his first child, Treasa, was born.  Two years later they were blessed with a second child, Martin Lloyd. He considered his granddaughter, Shenika, to be one of his children as well.

As the patriarch of his family, Jay enjoyed taking an active role in the annual family reunions. He was known for his finesse in grilling a whole pig to carry on the family’s North Carolina BBQ recipe and traditions, and he especially enjoyed the fellowship among his immediate and large extended family.

Jay was self-educated and passionate about each of his hobbies. When something new interested him, he dove in, learning all that he could about that interest--nothing was done half-way. In 1981, he opened his own electronic repair store called “Hi-Tech TV Service” in Milford, as he was always skilled and knowledgeable with the latest technology. Photography, bowling, bicycling, gardening and cooking were among his favorite things to do. He was also known to be adventurous and appreciative of all types of food, a good margarita, wine tastings, and craft beer, especially a stout.

For many years, Jay was an active member of the White Clay Bike Club and the Sussex Cyclists. Jay logged in an average of 7500 miles per year.  He rode almost daily, even through the winter months. In 2013, he was awarded the Sussex Cyclists Volunteer of the Year.  The amount of flat tubes he changed for others during his riding days are countless! He was an expert! For years, he was a ride leader for several B rides a week (30 miles per ride at a moving speed of 18 mph), participated in the annual Ride of Silence and Bike to Work Day, led the Sussex County contingent of riders for the annual Legislative Ride to Dover, and volunteered for many “Safety Stops” throughout the summer. [These are stops in conjunction with DelDOT that provides helmets, lights, reflective tape, and written bike safety information to cyclists using bikes as their main mode of transport to/from work.] Jay was a task master relative to leading his group rides. Whether it was 3 riders, or 20 riders, a 10-mile ride or a 50 mile ride…. safety rules applied. And there would be no rider left behind. You started together and you finished together. No exceptions! He was personally affected when he read or heard of another cyclist that went down. As all cyclists feel saddened when we hear these stories, Jay was even more vigilant for his own safety in his solo and group rides.

Albeit quiet, modest, and gentle, Jay was fervent in supporting positive change in many social issues in our local community. Jay volunteered at the Milford Food Bank for the school lunch program. He chooses his local charity bike rides for the causes they sponsored, (ie Sussex County Meals on Wheels, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, scholarships for local Workforce Development, tourism in Kent and Sussex Counties, just to name a few). Most recently, Jay embraced the mission of The Fuller Center for Housing, a faith-driven and Christ-centered organization that works to provide adequate shelter for all people. In April, he rode the Natchez Trace from Nashville TN to Nachez Trace MS (444 miles in 7 days), and fixed homes along the way for underserved communities. He was so inspired by this experience that Jay began assisting on developing a Covenant Partnership for tiny house communities as a possible solution for workforce/affordable housing and homelessness in Delaware.

Jay is survived by his loving wife, biking partner, and best friend, Michele Williams; his children, Treasa Lednum and husband Ken of Hurlock, MD and Martin Kirby and wife Wendy of Millsboro; his sisters, Darlene Harrison (John) of San Marcos, TX, Janie Walt (Mike)  of Millsboro, and Gale Murray (Jim) of Millsboro.
He was a fun and loving grandfather to Shenika Kirby of  Milford, Rebecca Wales of Easton, MD, Martin L. Kirby, Jr., Dustin and Justin Timmons of Millsboro and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his Uncle Paul Groff and his wife Gladys of Pikeville, NC., aunt, Kathryn Goff of Goldsboro, NC, Sister-in law, Martha Kirby of Waynesboro, PA and many nieces, nephews and cousins he loved dearly.

Jay is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 52 years, Patricia, his oldest sister, Earnestine and younger brother, Ray.

He was a very genuine and kind man. He was generous, humble and would never speak an ill word of anyone. Jay would find light in even the darkest of times and always brought comfort and laughter to anyone who knew him. It is for all these reasons and many more that he will be deeply missed by so many.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made online to the Fuller Center for Housing,

http://weblink.donorperfect.com/TheFullerCenterForHousing/JayKirbyTribute

or by mailing to The Fuller Center, PO Box 523, Americus, GA 31709 (Please specify in memory of Jay Kirby).

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, October 1^st at Melson Funeral Services, Long Neck Chapel, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, Delaware 19966, Phone: 302-945-9000. Family and Friends may gather at 1130 in preparation of the Celebration of Life Service to start at 12:30 pm.  If you are so inclined, you are most welcome to share a great Jay story, share a picture, bring tons of laughter, and bring a canned food good to be donated to The Shepherds Office in Georgetown.