Obituary of Sgt. Darren M Kirby

But I would not have you to be ignorant brethren, concerning them who are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others who have no hope 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Darren Mitchell Kirby was born on September 12, 1989 in Far Rockaway, New York to the proud parents Kenya Kirby. On that Day, God the Father breathed the breath of life into his nostrils and Reveille was sounded, signaling the charge of what would be a magnificent and spirited, albeit brief life of service to God, family and mankind. His early school years were spent in the New York Public schools, where he was a standout student that excelled in all of his classes; he would later complete his primary education in the New Jersey Public Schools where he continued his academic excellence and graduated with Honors. Springing forth from strong Christian stock, he was exposed to the church as a child, joined Christ Care Unit Missionary Baptist Church("CCU") as a prepubescent teenager and subsequently gave his life to Chrit and was baptized at CCU. Mindful of the admonition in the book of James that fath without works is death. Darren was actively involved in the Church. He wa a regular attendee at Sunday school, a member of the Junior Choir, served on the Junior Usher Board, was a member of the Youth Bible Study Group and attended church services regularly with his family. Darren was united in Holy Matrimony to Katherine on October 19, 2009. Their union was blessed with prosperity, Christian love and fruitfulness as together they produced two lovely daughters, Kai'le and London. Completing their beautiful family were Alize and Corey, whom Darren adopted. He was proud to be their father. Darren understood the importance of Education and continued his pursuit of higher education by attending college and earning his LPN license. He also secured an EMT-b certification. He had planned to pursue his Baccalaureate degree to become a Registered Nurse and perhaps a Master's degree after that. He was a strong positive father figure for all four of his children, but yet was compassionate, caring and gentle to his children. He was a good provider and worked assiduously to provide a good home and a good family environment. He was a caring husband who showered his sweet Katherine with love and affection and everyone who saw them remarked how much in love they were! He indeed loved his wife as Christ loves the Church. Darren was a compassionate, loving and nurturing soul who liked to mentor others. He was always encouraging his cousins to do better and to strive for excellence in life. For those who had the pleasure of knowing him well, they knew that he had a healthy ego to match his drive and determination. He had a great sense of humor and was full of life and lived it to the fullest. After God and Family, his true passion was for cars and motorcycles. Consonant with his compassion for his fellow man and his fervent desire to serve his country, Darren voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army in November of 2007. He attended Basic Combat Training at Ft. Sill, OK. He graduated Basic Combat Training on February 28, 2008 He then reported to Ft. Sam Houston for his advanced Individual Training. he successfully completed the course earning the distinguished MOS 68W Combat Medic. He reported in July 2008 to his first duty station, Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas where he served as a combat medic with 1/37 he was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009. He served as a platoon Medic with D Company 1/37 and the 47th STT. Always striving for excellence, he exhibited superior skill, training and bravery in the field and was elevated to the rank of Sergeant. Upon returning from Iraq he spent several months at Ft. Bliss before attending the 68WM6 Practical Nurse Course at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. He graduated the course in February of 2012 earning his nursing license. After completion of the course he reported to Ft. Beloved where he worked as a nurse and supervisor. Sgt. Kirby's awards include the Combat Action Badge, Driver's Badge Wheeled and Track, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with a Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Ribbon. His army education included Army Practical Nurse Courses, Combative Level 1 & 2 and Brigade Combat Trauma Training. One April 15, 2012, the life of this outstanding man, father, friend and patriot, tragically came to an end and taps were sounded. Although his mortal heart has ceased to beat, the spiritual heart continues to beat as he now basks in the Shekinah glory of the Lord. Although he has departed from us far too soon, he has joined the eternal resting home built not with mortal hands, but by the hands of the Master Potter himself. For him, a devout Christian and true believer, he is "Where, O death, is your victory?' "Where, O death, is your sting?' "for he has certainly been united with his Savior, Grandfathers, Leon Kirby and Walter Ware, Sr., Great-Grandfather Moses Merriwether, Jr.-- the men who helped him to become the man we knew and loved - as well as his Great -Uncles Elester, Great-Aunt Renee and cousin Nazia. A totally devoted husband and loving Father, he leaves behind to cherish and mourn his memory: his devoted and lovely wife Katherine, their children Alize, Corey, Kai'le and London: His parents Siraka and Kenya Meheret: his grand parents Paulean and Murphy Knight: Great Grandmother Allean Merriwether: his brothers Sira, Jr. and Marcus Meheret: in laws Gloria and Mark Vasquez: sister - in - law Daisy Holt Vasquez (Fabian); his special Aunt Martice a/k/a Auntie (as Darren affectionally spelled it); and a veritable sea of relatives, aunts, uncles, great-aunts, great-uncles, friends, admirers, comrades and well wishers, all of whom count themselves as blessed to have known Darren Mitchell Kirby.