Paul Douglas Kirby Sr

July 28, 1931 - March 18, 2021

Paul Douglas Kirby Sr, 89, of Mint Hill, NC, passed away at his home on March 18, 2021. Due to the blessing of hospice, he was able to be at home surrounded by his family. Paul was born in Greer, South Carolina, on July 28, 1931, the son of John and Jessie Crain Kirby. His family moved to Charlotte and he grew up there. When his country called upon him for service, he answered the call and enlisted in the United States Army on January 28, 1953. On January 11, 1955, he was honorably discharged as Private First Class after earning the National Defense Service medal, the Korean Service medal, the United Nations Service medal and a Good Conduct medal. Paul then returned to the Charlotte area. He met the love of his life in a young Ms. Shirley Dulin and they were married in 1952. Blessed with a talent for working with his hands, he worked as a machine operator for Swift and Company and later as a furniture repairman for Sears Home Furnishings. When he wasn’t working, Paul enjoyed being outside, especially when it came to fishing, gardening, riding his mower and working on things. Most of all, he loved the time spent with family and friends, especially the time spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Paul is survived by his children: Paul (wife Connie) Douglas Kirby Jr of Anson Co, NC; Vickie (husband Garry) Stamey of Locust, NC; and John Kirby of Mint Hill, NC: his grandchildren: Ashley Kirby, Jessica (husband Albert) Leyvas, Lisa (husband Chris) Breedlove, Heather (husband Ty) Preslar, Garry “Uncle G” Stamey and Chelsea (husband Derek) Benenhaley; and his great grandchildren: Preston, Savannah, Christian, Ava, Ayla, Isabella “Izzy”, Elena, Emma, Noah, Cason, Brooklyn “Little Princess”, Sawyer and Hadley. Paul is further survived by numerous other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirley, in 1979; and his siblings: Eugene, Jack and Glenn. Paul’s family has given the family of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home the privilege of caring for him and for them. A gathering of friends and family will begin at 1 pm on Tuesday, March 23, at the funeral home, 4715 Margaret Wallace Road, Matthews, NC 28105. At 2 pm, all present will gather in the funeral home chapel for a Celebration of Life Service led by Chaplain Amanda Lewis of Novant Hospice. Following the service, a formal procession will be held to Sharon Memorial Park where Paul will be laid to rest next to his wife, Shirley. In lieu of flowers and in honor of his service to our country and for those who cared for Paul at the end, the family requests memorials in Paul's name be made to either the Mint Hill VFW Post 4059, 11341 Bain School Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227 or to Novant Hospice, PO Box 33549, Charlotte, NC 28233.