Mr. Thomas Brandon Kirby

December 9, 1928 - July 22, 2016

Mr. Thomas Brandon Kirby, 87, passed away on July 22, 2016, at Waverly Care Home in West Point. Mr. Thomas was born December 9, 1928, in Carroll County, TN, the son of the late Cecil Francis and Ollie Blanch Brandon Kirby. He attended the Church of Christ in Carroll County, TN. He retired as a Chief Petty Officer with the United States Navy, having retired with 21 years of active service and 9 years in the Naval Reserve for a total of 30 years of military service. While in the military, he served on a nuclear powered submarine during both the Vietnam and Korean Wars. He retired from Babcock and Wilcox Company after 18 years where he was a shop superintendent. He attended Bethal College and West Tennessee Business College. Mr. Thomas also earned his accounting degree from East Mississippi Community College. He was a Master Mason with the West Point Masonic Lodge #40 F.&A.M. He was also a lifelong member of the Hamasa Shrine Club. He was an avid and accomplished quail hunter. He was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He enjoyed vegetable gardening and woodworking. He married Betty Brown Kirby on June 2, 1951, in Martin, TN, and they were married for 65 years. Funeral services will be Monday, July 25, 2016, at 10:00 A.M. from Calvert Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Michael-John Pope officiating and assisted by Reverend Kelly Pope. Burial with the United States Naval Honor Guard will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in West Point. Calvert Funeral Home of West Point is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include His Wife Betty B. Kirby; Three Daughters, Debby Kirby McNamee (Danny), Michele Kirby Parker, and Sue Lynn Kirby Terry (Lyle) all of West Point; Eight Grandchildren; Dena Pope (Rev. Michael-John) of Mt. Pleasant, MS, Brandon McNamee (Kiley) of West Point, Miles Parker (Ashley) of Caledonia, Mitch Parker (Erin) of Caledonia, Anna Terry of West Point, Dusty Swartz of West Point, Harrison Terry of West Point, and Kirby Swartz of West Point; Seven Great Grandchildren; Tyler McNamee, KayLeigh McNamee, Jackson Parker, Memphis Parker, Mason Parker, Bryson Parker, and Charlotte Parker; His Two Brothers, Bobby Joe Kirby (Martha) of Hollow Rock, TN, and Larry F. Kirby (Becky) of Huntington, TN. Pallbearers will be Michael-John Pope, Brandon McNamee, Miles Parker, Mitch Parker, Dusty Swartz, and Harrison Terry. Honorary Pallbearers will be Nurses and Staff of Waverly Care Home, Nurses and Staff of Halycon Hospice, and Dr. Andrew Wartak. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Foundation, 196 Charmant Drive; Suite 4, Ridgeland, MS 39157 or to Waverly Care Home, 315 West Broad Street, West Point, MS 39773. Visitation will be Sunday 3:00-5:00 P.M. at Calvert Funeral Home. Friends may leave an online condolence at www.calvertfuneralhome.com