David M. Kirby

David M. Kirby, 65, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of March 21, 2019, after a short and unexpected illness, with his wife and son at his side.

David was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, and was the youngest of four siblings. While growing up, his father was transferred several times throughout Massachusetts and New Jersey, finally settling in Pennsylvania when he was in high school. All of this moving around contributed to David's ability to meet people and make a connection with them that formed so many lasting friendships.

David and Carol Jenkins were married in 1976, and together they built a wonderful, happy life centered around their family and friends. David was a dedicated father, coaching little league baseball, going camping and boating, teaching Nathan and his friends to water ski. He especially enjoyed the several years that he and Nathan made the annual trek to "elk camp" each fall.

His granddaughters were the light of his life and he absolutely treasured the time he spent with them and always tried to spoil them as much as their parents would allow! In fact, he went online from his hospital room before he passed away and ordered snow shovels for the granddaughters so they had the best shovels to do their snow shoveling jobs and insisted that Nathan go to Home Depot that afternoon to pick the shovels up so they were there to use when the girls got home from school.

David enjoyed so many activities, but among his favorites were skiing, golfing and riding his Harley, mostly because of the camaraderie of spending time enjoying his wide variety of friends (getting through a shopping trip to Costco took such a long time because David knew so many people and he always stopped and talked with each of them).

He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for 40 years, first as a groundman, next as a crane operator, and finally as a journeyman wireman for the last 23 years of his electrical career. He then thoroughly enjoyed his well-deserved retirement over the last three years.

We will miss his great sense of humor, laughter, and dedication to his family and treasured friendships.

David is survived by his wife of 43 years, Carol; their son Nathan (Sarah), grandchildren Jenna and Kaitlyn, all of Bozeman; his sister, Carol (Tom) Wall of Scituate, Massachusetts; his brother Bob and mother Julie of Tampa, Florida; and many, many wonderful friends.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Julia; his father, Richard; and his brother, Michael.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave., Billings.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to The Red Lodge Songwriters Festival, Inc., P.O. Box 830, Red Lodge, MT 59068; University Hospital Foundation re: Lodging For Patient Families, 127 S. 500 East, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84102; or your favorite charity.