George Thomas Kirkby
George Thomas Kirkby, 81, of Fowlerville, Michigan, passed away on September 11, 2026.
George was born June 2, 1945, in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Delphin and Susan Kirkby, and grew up in Lansing. He was a proud graduate of Michigan State University, where he earned his degree in Journalism, and he remained a Spartan through and through, rarely seen without a piece of MSU green and white in his wardrobe. He also proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
On May 18, 1968, he married the love of his life, Sharron Coe, and the two shared 58 years of marriage together. In 1976, George and Sharron settled in Alanson, Michigan, where they made their home and raised their family for 43 years before moving to Fowlerville, Michigan, in 2024 to be closer to their daughter.
George built his career with Pepsi, where he was known and loved as “Midnight” for the way he treated everyone he met on his route as a friend — stopping to load groceries, push a cart to someone’s car, or simply lend a hand, no matter how long his day had already been. That same generosity carried through his retirement, which he filled with volunteer work for the Alanson Hillside Beautification project, the Alanson Library, and the Alanson Fire Department, as well as photographing and writing about special occasions throughout his community. He was also a proud member of the Marine Corps League and took great joy each year in helping with Toys for Tots.
An avid photographer, fisherman, and lover of the outdoors, George was happiest surrounded by his family. He spent countless hours reading and teaching his children and grandchildren to fish, skate on the lakes, cross-country ski, and snowshoe. His love of photography ran especially deep — he helped his daughter set up a darkroom in her high school and passed that same passion on to his son, Joel. He taught everything with patience and gave his time freely and often.
George was a gentle soul who spent his life making the people around him smile. He was the best husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend anyone could ask for — always present, always up for a good conversation, and always ready to listen without judgment. Those who knew him simply called him “the nicest guy,” and no one who met him would have argued. He was, quite simply, one of a kind, and his family could not have asked for a better man to build their lives around.
George is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sharron (Coe) Kirkby; his daughter, Allison (Mike) Warren; his son, Joel (Lucy) Kirkby; his brother, David (Judy) Kirkby; his sister-in-law, Sherry Hurt (John); his grandchildren, Jamey Warren (Kelsee), Amanda Martin (Jesse), Bonnie Stice (Cole), and Arin Kirkby; his great-grandchildren, Chase, Ashlyn, Hayden, Miles, Sutton, and Lively; and many loving nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Delphin and Susan Kirkby; his brother, Ed Kirkby, and Ed’s wife, Barb; his sister, Sara; his daughter, Amanda; his granddaughter, Heather Stice; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law, each of whom held a special place in his heart.
George’s gathering of family and friends will be on Thursday. September 24th, 2026, from 12 PM to 3 PM at the American Legion Post 141 in Howell, Michigan. Funeral honors will begin at 12 PM. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Please leave a message of comfort for George’s family at 1-877-231-7900, or sign his guestbook at www.borekjennings.com.
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