Otis Edgar Kirby, Jr., 91, slipped quietly away from this earth on August 1, 2023, surrounded by his family at his home.

He served his country spending four years as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy, and then attended Birmingham Southern College and the University of Alabama dental school. As a Methodist PK (Preacher's Kid), Ed lived in many cities prior to moving with his family to Decatur during his high school years. This is the place he felt he had the deepest roots and so chose to move to Decatur with his family in 1961. His dental practice thrived for a short 55 years! Ed often said that the biggest thing he missed most after retirement was getting to see friends at least every six months.

Ed loved being a dentist and was able to use this passion to help others in Honduras and Bolivia, sharing these trips with so many family members and friends. Ed was a long time member of Decatur First United Methodist Church where he thoroughly enjoyed singing in the choir. He made sure we knew his favorite "dental hymn", Crown Him With Many Crowns. Some of his fondest memories were singing The Seven Last Words, Hallelujah Chorus and Bless This House among other anthems. Ed was also a long time member of the Decatur Rotary Club where he always looked forward to Monday lunch meetings. He was honored to be a past president and a Paul Harris Fellow. Something that Ed and Barbara shared was their love for their Walk to Emmaus community. He served in almost all capacities on a great many Walks. He showed his love for serving and loved being a part of his reunion group that supported and lifted each other up weekly. Last, but certainly not least, Ed was a part of a group of golfers who met several times a week to play. Over the years the group changed a bit as some left and others joined, but they remained such a great group of caring and supportive friends.

Ed and Barbara were married for 66 years and made forever friends early on in Decatur. These friends became and still are their "Family of Choice". He was such an incredibly blessed man and knew it. He was so humbled by the outpouring of love, prayers, blessings and food from so many friends!

Along with his wife, Barbara, he is survived by his older brother, Richard (Rip) Kirby of Las Vegas, NV; children, Ed III (Melissa) of Sorrento, FL, Ann Marie (Lyle Chaney) of Marietta, GA, Jenny Lee (Bob Allgood) of Suwanee, GA; grandchildren, Bobbie (Matt Clark), Tyler Chaney (Eleanor), Max Chaney, Anna Allgood, John Allgood, Bo Allgood; great-grandchildren, Olivia, Ben and Collins; along with three nephews and a niece.​

Visitation will be Saturday August 5, 2023 from 9:30am until 11:00am at First United Methodist Church of Decatur followed by a Memorial service at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Decatur First United Methodist Church, Hospice of the Valley, or the Salvation Army.

Berryhill Funeral Home is assisting the family.