Jack H. Kirby

February 27, 1939 ~ November 27, 2019

Jack H. Kirby was born February 27, 1939 at home in Cherokee, OK.  He was the seventh child born to John Thomas and Pearl Ingram Kirby.  

He joined the Navy at age 17 and served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal.  He traveled throughout the Mediterranean area and finished his service at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  

After his release from the Navy, he returned to Cherokee and joined the Oklahoma National Guard.

He was working on a seismograph crew in San Juan County when he met Ellen Randall at the Little Theater in Monticello. They were married on August 27, 1962.

They spent their first year of married life in Oklahoma but then returned to Monticello, where they lived ever since.

He worked in many professions during his life. He was a rough neck, electrician, service station attendant, janitor, and a heavy equipment operator for road construction and 18-wheeler trucks. 

He served as Chief of Police for the City of Monticello and Deputy Sheriff for San Juan County. He was very proud of his 32 years in law enforcement. He attended the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

He joined the Utah National Guard, spent time in Korea, and was deployed to Germany during Desert Storm in 1991.

He didn’t know a stranger and could visit with anyone – especially if he knew they were from Oklahoma.

Jack and Ellen are the parents of three children, Michael (Joan) Kirby, Colleen (Mark) Low, and Brian Kirby; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and one sister.  

He is survived by his wife Ellen, three children, several grandchildren, a sister, and multiple in-laws. 

Burial in the Monticello Cemetery.

Card of thanks

The family of Jack Kirby would like to express their appreciation for the many acts of kindness, cards, visits, and food brought in during our loss. 

We especially thank the San Juan Hospital, Dr. Crofts, and staff for the countless hours of tender care. 

Thank you to the Third Ward Relief Society and Danny and Amanda Palmer at the San Juan Mortuary. 

We count ourselves very blessed to live here where wonderful neighbors and friends abound.

Sincerely,

The Jack Kirby Family