Alfred Clayton Kirby

Mr. Alfred Clayton Kirby, 91, of Ocean Springs, MS, died Friday, April 27, 2007, in Ocean Springs. Mr. Kirby was born May 27, 1915, in Mt. Liberty, Ohio. A resident of Ocean Springs, for the past 28 years, he was a member of First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs. Prior to the onset of World War II, he served with the Civilian Conservation Corps as a photographer in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, where many of his photos may still be seen today. Serving with the United States Army's 37th Division in the South Pacific during World War II, he earned numerous medals and commendations, including a Bronz Star for bravery. After 13 years of military service, he began his career with P.P.G. Industries in Mount Vernon, Ohio, retiring in 1977 after 30 years of service. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Daisy Kirby; brother, Gerald Kirby; two sisters, Virginia Dobbs and Pauline Dodgion, all of Ohio; grandson, Ryan Kirby and great son, Seth Kirby, both of Ocean Springs. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Anna Deboard Kirby; one son, Frank Kirby and his wife, Kay; two daughters, Pam Matney and her husband, Larry, of Ocean Springs, and Julie Kennedy and her husband, Robert, of Scottsburg, Indiana; five grandchildren, Kristina Stewart and her husband, David, of Palm Bay, FL, Mark Vogelmeir and his wife, Lorie, Shanda Alto and her husband, Eric, Alyson Matney, all of Ocean Springs, Craig Vogelmeir and his wife, Terry, of Frazeysburg, Ohio; eleven great grandchildren; three special nieces, Dixie Gionikas, Diane Humphries and Kathryn Dado, and a special nephew, James "Jimmy" Dobbs, all of Columbus, Ohio. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Louis Rubenstein and Vickie, Dr. William Lobrano and the staff of Ocean Springs Hospital for the love and care he received. Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at 11 a.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs where friends may visit one hour before service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery.