February 5, 1930 – December 22, 2018
Bruce Wheat Kirbo, 88, was born February 5, 1930 in Bainbridge, GA, the son of Ben Kirbo and Ethel West Kirbo. He passed away Saturday, December 22, 2018, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. Family members were by his side.
A graduate of Bainbridge High School, the University of Georgia and the University of Georgia Law School and a fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, Kirbo practiced family and corporate law. He was a devoted and long-time volunteer. His involvement went far beyond his close-knit community to numerous organizations throughout the State of Georgia and beyond. Kirbo was the senior practitioner in the South Georgia circuit. He entered the University of Georgia at the age of 16, and earned a law degree in 1951 at the age of 21. While at UGA, Kirbo made a mark as a student leader, he was a member of Blue Key and Gridiron, president of Demosthenian, and served two terms of service on the law school’s honor court. He was admitted to the Georgia Bar just a few days after his 21st birthday and, after two years of service in the military, began his successful private practice in Bainbridge. During his distinguished career, Kirbo has served as a member of the board of governors and other committees of the State Bar, as a special master for the Supreme Court of Georgia as well as a member of the School of Law’s Board of Visitors. He was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1979 and became a Fellow of the organization.
Kirbo led a lifetime of leadership, service and philanthropy to his local community. He represented the Decatur County School Board, Bainbridge City Council, served as a member of the executive board of the Bainbridge College Foundation, and as president of the Kiwanis Club.
The funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 24th at First Christian Church in Bainbridge Georgia. Interment will follow at Oak City Cemetery with his grandchildren serving as active pallbearers.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Catherine “Cass” Cirafisi Kirbo; his children, Lillian Kirbo Ansley and her husband, Gene, of Atlanta, GA, Bruce W. Kirbo, Jr. and his wife, Nancy, of Bainbridge, GA, Charles G. Kirbo and his wife, Becky, of San Antonio, TX, Ben J. Kirbo and his wife, Jennifer, of Tallahassee, FL, and Thomas H. Kirbo and his wife, Vickie, of Atlanta, GA; 17 Grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Ben Kirbo and Ethel West Kirbo, his son, Robert David Kirbo; his 7 siblings.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Decatur County YMCA. Memorial donations may be mailed to 1818 E. Shotwell St., Bainbridge, GA 39819, (229) 243-0508.
On-line condolences may be made at www.iveyfuneral.com.
Prayers for the Kirbo family and sympathy. Mr Kirbo was an upstanding citizen and accomplished so much , We know his family had a good role model and the community was better off having him here. He will be missed. Love to the family and friends.
Pat and Joe Barlow
What a legacy and a distinguished gentleman. The world will never know how many lives this man touched. ????
I had the please of chatting with them at the diner they use to frequent. Lovely and sweet couple,he had a great sense of humor. He will be missed!
Mr. Kirbo was the man who went door-to-door socializing funds to create Little League baseball in Bainbridge. Bainbridge owes him quite a debt. Fine man. God be with his family!