John Craig Kirby

John Craig Kirby, age 67, graduated from this life’s experience on April 21, 2017 in Provo, Utah from complications of liver failure. He was born November 14, 1949 in Blackfoot, Idaho to James and Julia Kirby. He married Susan Finnigan on December 23, 1971 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Together they have 4 children and 14 grandchildren. From 2009-2013, he was married to Annette Taylor. For the last 3 years of his life he was lovingly cared for by Susan and their children. John had a wonderful childhood shared with his two older brothers, Jim and Joe. Delivering the Blackfoot News for many years, he served and knew many residents. He played baseball, football and basketball. Being 6’7” tall, he was a natural for captain of the Blackfoot High basketball team. One of his favorite songs was Big John and he enthusiastically adopted this nickname. After graduating from high school, he served an LDS mission in the Dallas/Fort Worth Mission making lasting friendships. He loved his mission president, Carlos Asay, and brought home a 10-gallon hat and cowboy boots. He was part Texan from then on. John served his country and was first stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas. During the end of the Vietnam War, he was stationed at Pusan Air Base in Korea. After returning from war, he attended and graduated from BYU with a degree in business management. John was a real estate broker for many years in the Provo/Orem area. For 4 years he and his family moved to Toronto, Canada where he was employed by Computerland Canada.In his later years, he drove for UTA between Orem and Salt Lake. John loved gardening and growing fruit trees. He was always ordering plants and trees and fun gadgets to use. He shared his love and skill of gardening with his children and grandchildren. They will all remember his green thumb and the way he enthusiastically shared the fruits of his labors. His Santa parties at Christmas were a favorite with the grandchildren. They looked forward to these each December and he came up with the most unique gifts for each of them. John was an active member of the LDS Church and served as athletic director, elders quorum president, Sunday School president and counselor in two bishoprics. Survived by Susan Finnigan Kirby, Children: Rebecca Nielsen of Orem, Kimberly (Jared) Spataro of Seattle, Trent (Misty) Kirby of Hurricane, and Taylor (Rachel) Kirby of Orem. He loved his 14 grandchildren and they will always remember his $2 birthday bills: Drew, Jacob, Aubrey, Aaron, Matt, Taylor, Megan, Sam, Kennadi, Preslie, Wes, Eden, Eliza and Jack. His two brothers, Jim and Joe live in North Dakota and Mapleton, respectively. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Julia Kirby and son-in-law, Dr. Gregory Nielsen. The funeral will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the LDS chapel located at 1200 E 600 N, Orem. A viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 will be followed by family prayer at 10:30. The service will begin at 11:00. Burial will take place at the Orem City Cemetery with Military Honors at 12:30. The family wishes to thank the health care professionals who looked after him so well these past 18 months: Horizon Home Health (Von, Vic and Kylie), Stonehenge of Orem, Legacy Village and Utah Valley Hospital. Please share memories and condolences at www.serenityfhs.com

John Craig Kirby

November 14, 1949 - April 21, 2017