Lloyd "Dale" Kirby, age 81, died peacefully at home on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 4:40 p.m. surrounded by his family and friends. He was born on February 25, 1943 in Altus, OK to parents Harold Lloyd and Beatrice (Logan) Kirby.
Dale grew up in the Victory community and attended Victory School until it closed while he was in eighth grade. He then transferred to Olustee School for a short time and then to Duke School where he was President of his senior class and graduated in 1961. Dale attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK and graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics in 1965. He obtained a Masters Degree and Superintendent certification from the University of Oklahoma. After graduating from Southwestern he started his teaching career at Calumet High School in Calumet, OK where he coached high school girls' and boys' basketball and junior high girls' basketball and taught math and drivers' ed for two years. In 1967, Dale moved his family to Altus, OK where he taught algebra at Northeast Jr. High School and coached boys' basketball and boys' wrestling. In 1976, Dale became Principal at Central Jr. High School for one year. He took the position of Superintendent at Elmore City Public Schools in Elmore City, OK where he remained for 12 years. In 1989, Dale moved to the Anadarko, OK community and was the Assistant Superintendent of Anadarko Public Schools until he retired in 1997. After retiring from school service, Dale continued to work part time for Stephen H. McDonald & Associates, Inc. assisting school districts with bond issues. He finished his career employed by CWA, an architectural firm designing school facilities.
Dale was active member of First Baptist Church, Anadarko, OK. He was an avid fan of anything OU related, especially sporting events and enjoyed years of traveling in his motor home to follow the Sooner football team. Dale enjoyed playing golf with his golf buddies and attending Anadarko sporting events. His avocation was farming and ranching but his vocation was education. Dale was a generous, loyal, compassionate friend and will be remembered by many across the state of Oklahoma. He loved and mentored his former students. Dale loved his State of Oklahoma and was a walking atlas of it.
Dale is survived by his wife, Darlene Weyrick Kirby of the home in Anadarko, OK; children Terri Powell (Colice), Susan Kirby (Paul), Scott Kirby (Jessica), Keith Castner (Kim), Eric Castner (Lori), Jennifer Young and Amanda Kershaw (Brian); sister Carolyn Osborne; 13 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and honorary son, Andy Gomez.
He was preceded in death by his parents Harold Lloyd Kirby and Beatrice Kirby; spouse Laverne Kirby, sister Joyce Parks, brothers-in-law Larry Osborne and Allie Parks.
Visitation will be Friday, March 29, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Ray & Martha's Funeral Home in Anadarko, OK. Funeral services will be Monday, April 1, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Anadarko, OK with burial graveside services at Victory Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church, Anadarko, OK.
Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 1, 2024
First Baptist Church, Anadarko, OK
Interment: Monday, April 1, 2024
Victory Cemetery, Altus, OK
Visitation: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 29, 2024
Ray and Martha's Funeral Home, Anadarko, OK
Under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home
Anadarko, OK