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.