Ashburn Lee Kirby

June 4, 1934 – February 14, 2015

Ashburn Lee Kirby ("Kirby"), 80, of Norfolk, VA, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 14, 2015. Son of Earl Joseph Kirby and Nellie Lee Simons Kirby, Ashburn was born on June 4, 1934. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, as well as a veteran, a salesman, a gentleman and a storyteller.

Family left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 55 years, Jane; his daughter Christa Kirby; his daughter Ashlee Kirby Lakin, her husband Jeff Lakin and their three sons Nash, Kade and Jett Lakin. Ashburn was preceded in death by his brother Earl Kirby.

Ashburn grew up in Chesapeake, VA, graduating from South Norfolk High School. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Elon College in North Carolina. (A loyal supporter of his alma mater throughout his life, he was proud to see his "Elon College" transform into the nationally ranked Elon University in 2001.) Kirby was a member of the National Guard and was called into active duty on several occasions. He was also bestowed with the highest honor conferred upon a Mason, receiving the prestigious 33rd Degree at the Lewis Ginter Masonic Lodge in Richmond, VA.

After graduating from Elon, Kirby attended TC Williams Law School in Richmond for a year before embarking on a successful career as a wine distributor. He worked for Jim Staton Distributing Company and Pepsico and then eventually founded his own brokerage company, Ashburn L. Kirby & Associates.

Kirby lived with his family for almost 40 years in Greensboro, NC, where he was a member of the Tabernacle United Methodist Church. A practiced tenor, he sang in the church choir. When his girls were growing up, he was very involved in their activities, volunteering with the Greensboro Swimming Association, the Forest Oaks Swim Club and his daughters' Girl Scout troops. He pursued his passion for aviation by earning his private pilot's license and taking to the sky in a single-engine airplane. Ashburn was also an avid golfer and a diehard Duke basketball fan.

Kirby was very active with the Alumni Committee at Elon University. He shared his passion for his alma mater by helping with student recruitment and by supporting the ongoing development of the university.

All who knew Kirby will remember him as a kind man who could always make you laugh. He believed in shaking a person's hand, working hard and devoting himself to his family. He loved peach milkshakes, an old-fashioned shoe shine, a well-pressed handkerchief and great jazz music. From the bottom of our hearts, we will miss you, Pop.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20th at Sherwood Memorial Park Abbey Chapel, 1250 East Main Street in Salem, VA. Visitation with the family will take place after the service at The Cave at 15 East Main Street, Salem, VA.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation in Kirby's name can be made to the Elon University Department of Music. (Donate by check to Elon University, 2600 Campus Box, Elon, NC 27244 OR online at www.elon.edu/makeagift.)