James Thomas Kirby

James Thomas “Tommy” Kirby, Jr., age 50, of Jonesboro, was found Friday, April 2, 2010, in Grubbs. He apparently drowned in the Cache River.

James was born March 11, 1960, in Memphis to Jimmy Kirby and Mary Miller Kirby. He lived most of his life in the Jonesboro-Egypt area and was a graduate of Westside High School.

James was a welder by trade and helped construct the Convocation Center, the Frito-Lay and Post Cereal buildings. Earlier in his life, he was a member of the Northeast Arkansas Horse Shoe Association. He and his riding partner, Herbert Roth, won numerous trophies and awards. He was preceded in death by his father, James “Jimmy” Kirby.

Survivors include his mother, Mary Kirby of the home;

One sister and her husband: Maria and Jerry Fairchild of Little Rocl;

2 daughters: Ashley and Shelly Kirby of Walla Walla, Washington;
2 grandchildren: Adam and Carlee of Walla Walla; and

2 step daughters: Angline Smith of Olive Branch, Mississippi, and Becky Harden of Highland, California.

All services will be private. There will be no visitation.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Paragould Children’s Home, 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450.