Ricky A. Kirby
August 29th, 1958 - June 11th, 2025
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Ricky's Obituary
Ricky A. Kirby, 66, of Decatur, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at his home in Decatur.
The family will receive guests from 10am until the time of celebration of life at 11am, Monday, June 16, 2025 at Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur, Pastor Mark Hofstra officiating. Burial to follow at Harrison Cemetery, Decatur. Memorial contributions may be given to Bronson Cancer Center, www.bronsonhealth.com/locations/bronson-cancer-center-kalamazoo/ or Gentiva Hospice, www.gentivahsp.com.
Ricky was born August 29, 1958 in Kalamazoo, MI to John Kirby and Irene (Adams) Hill. Ricky was always an active guy; he enjoyed keeping busy, whether it was working hard throughout his 37 year career at Grissom Dry Wall Service as a dry wall installer or chasing down an 11-point buck in waist deep snow. If he wasn’t hunting, you could always find Ricky out catching fish or spending time at Pitcher Lake campground socializing with friends. He loved maintaining a higher level of living, even down to his final days. Despite his many passions in life, nothing outweighed family moments; especially his marriage to Rose (Grissom) Soti on April 15, 2005 and his last hunt where he helped his grandson get his first kill.
Ricky will be missed by his wife of 20 years, Rose Soti; his children, Nicole Tullos, Damon Soti, and Amanda Kirby; his grandchildren, Marcus Smith, Monica West, Trent Kirby, David Kirby, Veronica Pease, Lakota Roberts, and Gabriel Roberts; and his siblings, Johnny Kirby, Debbie Graves, Jimmy Kirby, Melissa Terry, Lisa Terry, and Lori Kirby.
He is preceded in death by his granddaughter, Destiny Pease; his brother, Billy Terry; and his parents.
The family will receive guests from 10am until the time of celebration of life at 11am, Monday, June 16, 2025 at Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur, Pastor Mark Hofstra officiating. Burial to follow at Harrison Cemetery, Decatur. Memorial contributions may be given to Bronson Cancer Center, www.bronsonhealth.com/locations/bronson-cancer-center-kalamazoo/ or Gentiva Hospice, www.gentivahsp.com.
Ricky was born August 29, 1958 in Kalamazoo, MI to John Kirby and Irene (Adams) Hill. Ricky was always an active guy; he enjoyed keeping busy, whether it was working hard throughout his 37 year career at Grissom Dry Wall Service as a dry wall installer or chasing down an 11-point buck in waist deep snow. If he wasn’t hunting, you could always find Ricky out catching fish or spending time at Pitcher Lake campground socializing with friends. He loved maintaining a higher level of living, even down to his final days. Despite his many passions in life, nothing outweighed family moments; especially his marriage to Rose (Grissom) Soti on April 15, 2005 and his last hunt where he helped his grandson get his first kill.
Ricky will be missed by his wife of 20 years, Rose Soti; his children, Nicole Tullos, Damon Soti, and Amanda Kirby; his grandchildren, Marcus Smith, Monica West, Trent Kirby, David Kirby, Veronica Pease, Lakota Roberts, and Gabriel Roberts; and his siblings, Johnny Kirby, Debbie Graves, Jimmy Kirby, Melissa Terry, Lisa Terry, and Lori Kirby.
He is preceded in death by his granddaughter, Destiny Pease; his brother, Billy Terry; and his parents.
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