Eddie Kirby Sr. 71, of Hickory Flat, passed away May 31, 2017 at his residence following a long battle with cancer.  He was born May 14, 1946 at Rosalie, Alabama to the late Tate and Coreen DeHart Kirby.
     Mr. Kirby attended TA Futrall High School at Marianna and was a member of the United Methodist Church at Stuttgart.  He enjoyed the outdoors, as well as hunting and fishing.  He farmed, raised cattle, and owned and operated Red River Hunting Resort.
     In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three grandchildren, Samantha White, Ray Daniel Ruffin, and Christopher Kirby Jr.; and three brothers, Vernon, Paul and Ray Kirby.
     He married Jan DeSalvo Kirby November 10, 1977 at Brinkley, Arkansas; she survives.  He is also survived by two sons, Eddie Kirby Jr. (Teena) of Leland, NC, and Chris Kirby (Krystal) of Pangburn; four daughters, Michelle Ruffin of Mansfield, MO, Maria Eakin of Wynne, Melinda Baker of Colt, and Monica Lueallen of Charlotte, NC; three sisters, Faye Carlisle (James) of Hickory Plains, AR, Joan Nickleson (Tim) of Beebe, and Loraine Ivey (Gary) of Rogers; twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
     Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. June 2, 2017 at Sullivan Funeral Care in Kensett.  Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 3 in the Sullivan Funeral Care Chapel with burial following at Henderson Cemetery in Pangburn.