Fred Kirby, 85

McMinnville resident and White County native Fred Kirby, 85, died Dec. 31 at River Park Hospital after an extended illness.

A horse trainer and a member of New Union United Methodist Church, he served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp during World War II and received the Purple Heart and a Citation for Valor.

The son of the late Fred and Etta Frazier Kirby; he was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Kirby and son, Buddy Kirby.

He is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Betsy and Charles McCarley of Hazel Green, Ala., Max French of Athens, Ohio, Delores and Gary Williamson of Mt. Sterling, Ky.; daughter, Joann Kirby of Albany, Ohio; brother, L.T. Oakwood of Ocala, Fla.; special friend, Harold Mayfield of McMinnville; 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Services were held Sunday at McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel with David Grissom officiating. Burial followed at New Union Cemetery on Highway 30 with military graveside rites administered by VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173.

McMinnville Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Southern Standard

(McMinnville, Tenn.) Jan. 5, 2005