Category: Howe News Bulletin

The Howe Bulldogs will recognize and honor Howe’s military hero L.B. Kirby on Friday night by wearing decals on their helmets during the 56th Silver Spike game with Van Alstyne.  The decal will be a purple heart with the initials “LBK” inscribed inside the purple heart.  The decals are being produced and donated by local Howe citizen Amber Carter.

Services for Mr. Kirby will take place earlier Friday at 10:30 am at Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne.

Mr. Kirby, a former Bulldog, was a Purple Heart recipient who became the most decorated living World War II veteran in Texas.  His awards include The Asiatic-Pacific Liberation Medal, Philippine Liberation medal, three overseas service bars, seven Bronze Stars, two Bronze Arrowheads and the Purple Heart.

Kirby is a 1943 graduate of Howe High School who entered the United States Army only two weeks after graduation. He was trained as a machine gunner under General Douglas MacArthur in the First Calvary Division of the United States Army. He was hit in the back by shrapnel from a Japanese rocket which landed him in a field hospital for three months. He later rejoined his unit to prepare for an invasion of Japan. Mr. Kirby was one of 25 men remaining from the original 250 of his unit when the Japanese surrendered on Aug. 25, 1945.

In 2013, the City of Howe named “L.B. Kirby Avenue” in his honor and later that year, he was honored at the Grayson County Commissioner’s Court where then-County Judge Drue Bynam read a proclamation honoring him as the most decorated living World War II veteran.

In 2015, the Howe Area Chamber of Commerce included Mr. Kirby into the Inaugural Class of the Howe Hall of Honor.

In addition to his heroism for his country, Mr. Kirby was a player for the Howe Bulldogs on the 1942 team that won a district championship without a head coach. Due to wartime, Howe did not hire a coach before the eighth season in school history and planned to not participate in a football schedule for that season. However, Mr. Kirby and fellow teammates petitioned Superintendent Charles R. Thompson to let them coach themselves. After careful counsel, the team was allowed to hold their own practices and eventually won the district championship serving as their own coach.

****UPDATE****  1:20 PM, November 2, 2018

The deceased was Klaus Gabelgaard, 45, of McKinney. An autopsy was performed and the cause of death will be released once the medical examiner completes his report. There was no indication of foul play and Gabelgaard had no known ties to Howe.

ORIGINAL RELEASE

At approximately 1 pm, off-duty Howe Police Officer David Morris drove through the parking lot of Bulldog Stadium and discovered a deceased white middle-aged male inside a parked car near the baseball and softball area of the complex.

Grayson County Justice of the Peace Rita Noel was called to the site and has ordered an autopsy.  Howe Police Department and Howe ISD Police Department worked the scene as well as fire departments from Howe and Van Alstyne.  The investigation is on-going.

The victim’s identity is being withheld until next-of-kin can be notified.  The incident did not involve a Howe student, Howe staff, or Howe resident.

L.B. Kirby, 93 years of age, passed away on Monday. Mr. Kirby is a war legend, a Texas legend, and a Howe treasure. He’s a hometown boy, who became the most decorated living World War II veteran in Texas. He held that position until Monday when his body finally gave up on him. Mr. Kirby’s awards include The Asiatic-Pacific Liberation Medal, Philippine Liberation medal, three overseas service bars, seven Bronze Stars, two Bronze Arrowheads and the Purple Heart.

Kirby is a 1943 graduate of Howe High School who entered the United States Army only two weeks after graduation. He was trained as a machine gunner under General Douglas MacArthur in the First Calvary Division of the United States Army. He was hit in the back by shrapnel from a Japanese rocket which landed him in a field hospital for three months. He later rejoined his unit to prepare for an invasion of Japan. Mr. Kirby was one of 25 men remaining from the original 250 of his unit when the Japanese surrendered on Aug. 25, 1945.

Two months and four days later, he was granted an honorable discharge from the Army the rank of corporal. He served two years and five months of which 23 months were served overseas in the Asiatic-Pacific operations.

Mr. Kirby never spoke about his honors. When his wife Dorothy became ill, she requested to see the Purple Heart. Before long, a request had been brought from Senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison. It was only then that the family learned of his military honors.

Mr. Kirby was a plumber and a preacher. He pastored churches in Lubbock, Texas, and Durant, Oklahoma. He held positions for churches in financial trouble and required no pay to pastor their churches.

In 2013, the City of Howe named “L.B. Kirby Avenue” in his honor and later that year, he was honored at the Grayson County Commissioner’s Court where then-County Judge Drue Bynam read a proclamation honoring him as the most decorated living World War II veteran.

In 2015, the Howe Area Chamber of Commerce included Mr. Kirby into the Inaugural Class of the Howe Hall of Honor.

In addition to his heroism for his country, Mr. Kirby was a player for the Howe Bulldogs on the 1942 team that won a district championship without a head coach. Due to wartime, Howe did not hire a coach before the eighth season in school history and planned to not participate in a football schedule for that season. However, Mr. Kirby and fellow teammates petitioned Superintendent Charles R. Thompson to let them coach themselves. After careful counsel, the team was allowed to hold their own practices and eventually won the district championship serving as their own coach.

Services are being arranged by Scoggins Funeral Home.  Information will be updated here.

OBITUARY

Leslie Benton (L.B.) Kirby, Jr. passed away October 29, 2018 at 11:58 pm at the Clyde Cosper Veterans Home in Bonham, Texas. He was 93 years old. A service honoring him will be held at Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne on Friday, November 2, 2018 at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at the Belew Cemetery in Aubrey. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

L.B. was born in Aubrey, Texas, on November 11, 1924 to the late L.B., Sr. and Lillie Kirby. He graduated from Howe High School in 1942. After graduation, he joined the army to serve his country in World War II, and became one of Texas’ most highly decorated soldiers. When he returned home, he married Dorothy Faye Hanna in Celina, Tx. on November 27, 1945. L.B. worked at Hardwick Etter Cotton and Texas Power & Light in Sherman, but most importantly, he became an ordained preacher and pastored several churches in Oklahoma and Texas.

L.B. is survived by his brother, Jerry Kirby and wife Venita of Howe; sister, Bettie Gouard of Howe; nephews, Danny Gouard and wife Linda of Howe; Terry Kirby and wife Elaine of Howe; niece, De-Ann Mozingo and husband Trent of Howe; as well as 5 great-nephews, Cody Gouard, Clayton Gouard, Dylan Kirby, Russell Mozingo and Randall Mozingo; 3 great nieces, Alexa Brunner, Rachel Mozingo and Crystal Gregory.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy; and their 3 children, Leslie Benton, III; Dorothy Faye, and Jerry Lewis.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to TEXAS SCOTTISH RITE HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN, scottishritehospital.org.

FM 1417, Grayson County: from FM 691 to US 82. Watch for traffic shifts and slow-moving vehicles as workers widen the roadway from FM 691 to US 82.

US 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage roads between FM 120 and Crawford Street. Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts as workers work on constructing the first retaining wall for this project. The southbound US 75 exit ramp for Crawford Street is closed and traffic wishing to use this exit should use the FM 120 (Morton Street) exit.

US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile operations as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the day-time.

SH 11, Grayson and Fannin County: from US 69 to SH 121. Watch for traffic shifts and occasional one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.

ADA Curb Ramp project, Grayson and Fannin County: various locations. Watch for shoulder closures and occasional lane closures as crews work in Honey Grove to install new sidewalks and curb ramps along SH 56.

US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow-moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided section. Watch for lane closures on FM 100 as crews work to construct the new westbound US 82 bridge over FM 100.

FM 1752, Fannin County: from US 82 to FM 898. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.

FM 816 & Recreation Road 3, Fannin County: from Fannin-Hunt County line to SH 78 on FM 816, and from FM 273 eastward for two miles on Rec. Road 3 south of Lake Bonham. Watch for temporary lane closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.

CR 4526 at Tributary to Bois D’arc Creek, Fannin County: CR 4526 is closed at the bridge crossing at the tributary to Bois D’arc Creek while crews are replacing the bridge structure.

In Howe, a family has turned their home into a haunted house and are inviting the community to enjoy the free show for two nights – Friday, October 26 and Halloween night of October 31.  Both events will begin at sunset and continue until people stop showing up according to owners Chris and Heather Hester, who live at 1817 Douglas St.

On Halloween night, there will be a costume contest at 7:30 pm and the winner will take the 1st Annual Golden Pumpkin Trophy.

“Our singing pumpkins will be putting on a show in the yard – singing Halloween songs and telling jokes,”  stated on the event’s Facebook page.  There will also be candy for trick or treaters on both dates. There is plenty to see, even for the ones too timid for the walkthrough.

The Hesters say the haunt is a bit scary so they recommend the younger kids enjoy the pumpkin show and the great yard decor while the brave ones can go through the walkthrough.

There will also be a few “scare cams” set up through the tour.  The Hesters say that the number one reason for the video footage is for the safety of all of the visitors, but also to enjoy the scares later.  Individuals that want to see their scare clips can do so by contacting the Hesters.

Photo gallery

Early voting begins today and those in the Howe area might find the Grayson College location in Van Alstyne to be the nearest option.  Others may find that the old courthouse in Downtown Sherman could be the quickest option.  This week, the voting times are 7 am to 7 pm.  A sample ballot can be found here: