Joel Kirby

Joel E. Kirby, 68, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.

Joel was born in Gainesville, Florida on October 31, 1954, to his father James Roswell "Buddy" Kirby and his mother Dora Earlene Benton Kirby-Rogers. Among many other attributes, Joel was a strong, determined, hard-working man that loved his family. In Joel's younger adult life, he loved roping and rodeoing with his father. Joel was an avid hunter that loved to be in the woods whether it was running dogs, sitting in the stand or coon hunting with his friends at night. Joel also enjoyed fishing whether he was able to catch anything or not. He also had a love for music and singing karaoke. Joel was a very hard-working, dedicated family man who took great pride in what you have, stood firmly in his beliefs and encouraged his children to do the same.  Joel worked with the Alachua County Sheriff's Office before he moved his career to the Florida Department of Corrections where he retired, then became the owner and operator of Custom Cuts Lawn and Landscape. Many years after being a business owner is when he met and married his wife (Richelle L. Kirby). It wasn’t long before Joel decided to take life a little easier, where he chose to move into the trucking industry and started with Stevens Transport. Joel then worked for some time with Pritchett Trucking before he had a health issue that resulted in his complete retirement. Joel will always be loved and remembered by those that he loved and knew closely. Joel is proceeded in death by his father, James Roswell "Buddy" Kirby and his mother Dora Earlene Benton Kirby-Rogers.

Joel is survived by his wife Richelle Kirby; his sister Carol Kirby (Rob) Newborn-Reynolds; his son Chad (Kaycee) Kirby; daughter Michelle N. (David) Nettles; and stepdaughter Courtney (Joe) Edwards; his five grandchildren Dillion, Emily, Levi, Mackenzie, Blayke, and Emmett. Joel also survived by his stepfather Larry Rogers; stepsister Sheryl Webster, stepbrother Greg Rogers, one nephew, two nieces, and their children. In his later years, Joel had the opportunity to adopt another daughter by chance to help care for him when his health worsened and Richelle was unable to care for him alone, Candace P. Joseph (Jason Holton).  Joel will be forever loved and greatly missed by all that loved him. Along with many that he crossed paths with or worked with in his life. He will be missed tremendously but everyone that knew Joel is looking forward to seeing him again soon.

A service to celebrate Joel's life will be held Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 10:00am at Archer-Milton Funeral Home. The family will receive friends for a visitation from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, also at the funeral home. Joel will be laid to rest immediately after the funeral service at Antioch Cemetery in La Crosse. Services will be officiated by Pastor Terry Elixson. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler.