Thomas "Tom" Kirby

Thomas John Kirby, 95, of Great Falls, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at his home of natural causes and complications of pneumonia.Visitation will be one hour prior to the vigil service at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. A vigil service will be held Sunday, June 7, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The funeral liturgy will be Monday, June 8, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Burial at Tiger Butte Cemetery will follow, and a celebration of life at the Belt Pavilion in Castner Park after the burial.Tom was born December 22, 1919 in Geyser, Montana, the third child to Roy and Mary Julia Kirby, was baptized and confirmed in the Geyser Catholic Church, and attended Geyser School through the 8th Grade, at which time the Depression began. Tom and his brother Joe joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) at this time to support their family; as their father was laid off from work. Tom came back from the CCC to rejoin his class at the Geyser School and graduate with them. He worked several jobs through out his life and his working career started young, delivering meals that his mother prepared to citizens of Geyser. Tom worked at the store in Geyser until moving to Great Falls and began employment with Buttrey's. In 1941, he was drafted into the United Sates Army for World War II, and was shipped overseas, much of this time was spent in England. Tom served as an MP and was in charge of transportation of the troops and prisoners, he also filled in as a cook. After his discharge from the Army on December 20, 1945, Thomas returned to Great Falls, and began employment with the Anaconda Smelter, this was short lived as he heard of an opening with the Great Northern Railroad. During his time with Great Northern, Tom was employed during the change over to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and involved in three separate train wrecks; one of which ended his railroad career. In 1971, Thomas was one of very few survivors of a head on train collision north of Great Falls, breaking almost every bone in his body; he was forced to retire.On July 4, 1939 he met the love of his life, Nina Johnson, at the Belt Park Picnic. They were married May 7, 1943 in Pittsburgh, California. Together they created a family consisting of six boys. They recently celebrated their 72nd Wedding Anniversary.After retirement, Thomas and Nina enjoyed traveling. Among their many adventures around the United States, including Hawaii, they also visited England, France, Germany, Romania and Italy. Tom enjoyed hunting up until his train accident that left him with low vision. He was able to continue with his passion for fishing, taking many grandkids along with them. Gardening was also a passion of Tom's, he could be found spending many hours working in his garden and relaxing in his gazebo, enjoying the flowers surrounding him. He was also very active in the VFW Post 1087, Sons of Norway, and Railroad Retirement Association.Thomas was preceded in death by his parents Mary Julia Kirby and Roy Kirby, brothers Joseph Kirby, Patrick Kirby, and Roy Edward Kirby, sisters Helen Stewart and Mary Petesch; and sons Robert Kirby, Daniel Kirby, and Edward L. Kirby.Thomas Kirby is survived by his wife Nina of Great Falls, sons Thomas Francis Kirby of Great Falls, Samuel Roy (Suzanne) Kirby of Belt, and Timothy Kirby (Rita Graham) of Echo Lake, daughters-in-law Vicki Kirby of Brady, Brenda Link of Ridgeland, Wisconsin and Debra Kirby (Randy) of Great Falls, grandchildren Robert Kirby (son Zachary) and Samaria Kirby (daughter Victoria) and Cody Kirby of Brady, Traci (Earl) Kirby-Lanterman of Dutton, Laura (Nathan) Kirby-Wilson of Belt, Kerianne (Lance) Evans (son Ray) of Charlo, Samuel J (Clancey) Kirby ( son Samuel R., daughter Chayse) of Armington, Daniel Kirby (son Sergeio, daughters Aliana and Sasha) and Matthew Kirby of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Kady (Connor) Murphy of Great Falls, Heather Chi Kirby (sons Seamus, Fergus) of Everette, Washington, Daphne Kirby of Halfway, Oregon, and Thomas Jordan Kirby of Billings, Montana.Memorials in Tom's memory may be made to Tiger Butte Cemetery c/o Roy Kirby P.O. Box 551 Belt, MT 59412.