Eugene V. Kirby

EUGENE V. KIRBY DONNA – Eugene V. Kirby, 80, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 29, 2012, at Valley Grande Manor in Weslaco. Born to Arthur Sherman and Ruth Kirby in McCulloch County, Texas, Mr. Kirby had lived in Donna most of his life. He is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Katheryn Kirby, Molly Kirby Evans and a niece, Belinda Hairston. Mr. Kirby is survived by his wife, Rosario Garza Kirby, of Donna; a daughter, Debbie Scogin (Bernard) Rodriguez, of Weslaco; two granddaughters, Brittany Rodriguez, Kayla Nicole Rodriguez; a sister, Betty (Charlie) Hairston, of Franklin, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary today, January 1, 2013, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Cremation will take place at Val Verde Memorial Gardens in Donna. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that contributions be made to Donna I.S.D. scholarship fund. He was a dedicated educator for a total of thirty-seven years, where he taught in Mission and Sharyland for fourteen years and then joined the Donna Independent School District where he served for twenty-three years as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal of Donna High School and as Personnel Director of Donna ISD. He touched many students’ lives and always encouraged them to put their education first. Mr. Kirby was a true gentleman, known for his kind and gentle heart and would do anything to help someone in need. He loved animals and would often pick up a stray cat or dog by the side of the road and take them home with him. His hobbies included reading, being outdoors, and watching race car driving. He was an avid fan of the Texas A&M Aggies, the Washington Redskins and the Donna Redskins. He was a loving son, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, husband, father and grandfather. So very dear to his heart aside from his family and many friends were, Aida Guzman Eberle and Sylvia Guzman Garza, who were like daughters to him and Vicente Ortiz, who was like a son to him. The family would like to thank his care takers. First and foremost, his loving wife who never left his side, Benita Posadas, Vicente Ortiz and his doctors, Mr. Contreras, Mrs. Lara and Dr. Arizmendi. Also a special thanks to the staff and nurses of the Valley Grande Manor for their attentiveness and kindness in his final days. Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.