Clarence J. Kirby, Jr.

                Clarence J. “Sam” Kirby Jr., 87 of Spurrier Road Bluefield, WV passed away March 31, 2014 at Glenwood Park Retirement Village Health Care Unit.                 Sam was born on August 01, 1926 at East Gulf, WV to the late Clarence and Josephine (Yost) Kirby; he was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. His elementary school education was attained in Fayette and Kanawha Counties; Junior High in Greenbrier and Mingo Counties; High school in Fayette and McDowell Counties. He graduated from Elkhorn High School in the class of 1944 and saw Army Air Force duty from January 1945 to October 1946. His first employment was with Koppers Coal Company in Keystone, WV with engineering and continued there when he became a certified foreman. Employment transfers and opportunities took him to Oak Hill (Beard’s Fork Mine), Kopperston, Oceana (Helen Mine), Sophia and Bluewell. When the Helen Mine closed, he became an agent for Nationwide Insurance Company. The move to Bluewell in 1965 came about when he accepted employment again at Keystone, WV with Eastern Associated Coal Company as a transportation foreman. While in Sophia his community activities included Sophia High PTA President, chair of Sophia High School Scholarship Foundation and Boy Scout Leader.                 Retiring in 1983, he became a desk clerk for the Comfort Inn in Princeton, WV and later chose volunteerism at Bluefield Regional Medical Center. When leaving his duty there, he was recognized for 11,000 hours of service. Sam was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge.       In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister Elizabeth Jo Kirby and her son, Jeffery Lynn Kirby. Brothers; John Donald Kirby and Thomas Cecil Kirby.   Survivors Include:                 His wife of 66 years Mary Lou (Epling) Kirby of the home                 Sons; David Allen Kirby and wife Anna Lou of Beckley, WV                            Michael Wayne Kirby and wife Lynne of Roanoke, VA Step-Grandchildren: Terri Harpold of Boston, MA; Donna Jenni of Orange, VA; Philip C. Harpold and wife Carina of Roanoke, VA. Three nieces and Three nephews; Sister in law Dona Kirby of Bluefield, VA and former daughter in law Lana Hartzog.                   A memorial gathering will be held at Bluewell United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 05, 2014 at from 11:30a.m until 12:30p.m. In keeping with Mr. Kirby's wishes he was cremated.