Michael R. Kirby

Michael R. Kirby, 58, passed away suddenly and peacefully early August 21, 2008, at his home in Horizon City, Texas. Mike was born to Clarence and Louise Kirby in Clovis, NM, on September 8, 1949, and was the youngest of 10 children. Mike is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 33 years, Barbara Ann, and his siblings, Lester, Roy, Dana (Ratliff), Christine (Martin), and Jeannie (Jones). He is survived by his children, Seth Kirby and Amanda Cognet, and her husband Noel Cognet Jr., as well as his two adoring grandchildren, Talia Belle and Evan Andrew Cognet. He is also deeply missed by his brothers, Cecil and his wife Bonnie, Vernon, Charles, and James and his wife Carolyn; as well as a multitude of close friends and colleagues. Mike took his first important step toward living “happy, joyous and free” on February 7, 1980, and continued to live his life free, one day at a time, until his passing. His patient, kind and wise counsel guided hundreds of people from all walks of life toward happy and productive lives. His message lives on. After a long and satisfying career in the credit union industry, his deep desire to help others led Mike to become a chemical dependency counselor. At the time of his passing, he had just attained his five-year milestone as a counselor for the El Paso County Juvenile Probation Department. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 27, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Sunset Funeral Home – East, 750 N. Carolina. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 27, at Sunset Funeral Home – East, with interment immediately following at Evergreen East Cemetery. Pallbearers include James Kirby, Noel Cognet Jr., Steven LeMense, John Miller, Jerry Johnson, and Mark Bell. Honorary pallbearers include Cecil Kirby, Vernon Kirby, Charles Kirby and José G. Mares. “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-East.