Donald Edward Kirby, Jr.

Donald Edward Kirby, Jr. returned to our Heavenly Father on Friday, August 28, 2026, at his home in Shelley. He was just 2 months short of his 78 birthday. He was born on October 22, 1948 to Donald Edward Kirby, Sr. and Betty Lou Molen. He was welcomed into the family by 2 older sister, Lynda and Kitty, and later joined by 2 more sisters, Margy and BJ. The family lived in Idaho Falls and later moved to Shelley in 1954.

He attended school in Shelley and graduated from Shelley High School in 1967, where he lettered in football and basketball. After graduation he joined the United States Army where he proudly served for 4 years. While in the Army he worked in the motor pool in Germany for 15 months. Then 1 year in Vietnam where he worked on heavy equipment, helped build replacement/repair bridges and roads. This was a scary time as he never knew when they were going to get shot at or blown up. His service was a hard time but he was very proud of his service.

Growing up he said his biggest challenge was having 4 sisters, but we all loved each other and somehow survived. We loved fishing and camping at Birch Creek where lots of fun memories were made. Later he loved fishing and camping in Mackay, Idaho.

In 1972 he married Jan Haase and they welcomed a daughter, Sarah. They later divorced. He later married Linda Struhs in 1979, where he gained a son, Jerry, as well as a wife. They had 2 more children, Erin and Michael. They raised their family in the Kimball area and later divorced.

He married Traci Hunter in 1996 and they welcomed a daughter, Katie. They made their home in Kimball until they moved to Shelley in 2023, due to health issues. He missed his little farm but soon realized that home is where your family is. That is where they lived at the time of his death. They recently celebrated 30 years of marriage.

Don loved farming, raising animals and working with his hands. He loved camping, fishing and 4-wheeling with family and friends, especially in MacKay, Ennis, Spencer/Stoddard Creek area.

Over the years he worked for USDA, Circle Valley Produce, drove for NAPA and C&T Transportation, and drove bus for the Firth School District. He also volunteered at the Humanitarian Center in Idaho Falls.

Don loved our Heavenly Father and had a firm testimony in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At his death, we know he was greeted and welcomed by his parents, grandparents, and other family members and friends that passed before him.

Don is survived by his wife, Traci. Children: Sarah (Ray) Guzman, Jerry Kirby Struhs (Kim), Erin Kirby, Michael Kirby (Erica), Katie Kirby; 13 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. Sisters: Lynda Chapple, Kitty (Darrell) Beard, Margy (Dell) Blackburn and BJ (Robert) Hess, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Betty Kirby, and great grandson, Archie Struhs.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 4, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Firth LDS Church 744 N 600 E, Firth, ID, with Bishop Justin Taylor conducting. Burial will be at the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery with military rites provided by the David B. Bleak Post #93 assisted by the Idaho Army Honor Guard. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Nalder Funeral Home in Shelley.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Dr. Wallace Baker, Dr. Brad Erikson and Brio Home Health and Hospice for their help in caring for Don.

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