Otis Carol Kirby

Mr. Otis Carol Kirby, age 73, of Auburndale, Florida died Sunday, Feb. 15, in the Wedgewood  Hospice Winter Haven, Florida following an extended illness.  He was born and raised in Lake City, Florida  and had resided in the Tampa and Auburndale, Florida area for the past 25 years.  He joined the Air Force in 1965, worked for government contractors with the Air Force in southeastern  Asia and Europe for many years, returned to the Tampa, Fla. area and became involved in the commercial refrigeration/air conditioning business and retired with Hussmann Refrigeration in 2001 after 25 years of service.  He was of the Baptist faith and an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War.  He enjoyed playing golf and fishing.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Pierce Jackson Kirby, Sr. and Mary Alice Porter Kirby and his sister, Alice Wynell Dority all of Lake City, Florida.  He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Linda Kirby of Auburndale, Florida:  His son, Edward A. (Nicole) Kirby of Lake City, Florida:  Granddaughter, Lorali K. Kirby of Lake City, Florida: Sister, Daphine Kirby of Lake City, Florida:  Two brothers, Pierce Jackson (Bernice) Kirby, II of Matha’s Vineyard, Ma. And Joseph Michael (Cassie) Kirby of Richmond, Va.:  He also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 P.M. Friday, Feb. 20, in the Siloam United Methodist Church with Rev. Milton Smith, Pastor of the Fort White Baptist Church, officiating.  Interment will be in Siloam Cemetery, Columbia County, Fla.  Visitation and gathering with the family will be from 6 to 8 P.M. Thursday, Feb. 19, at GUERRY FUNERAL HOME, 2659 S. W. Main Blvd., Lake City, Florida.  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation  in Otis Kirby’s name to The American Parkinson Disease, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, N.Y. 10305  www.guerryfuneralhome.net