Allen "AC" Calvin Kirby II

Allen Calvin (AC) Kirby II, 70, of Chanute, Kansas passed away Thursday, February 08, 2018 in Wamego, Kansas. He was born on October 13, 1947 in Chanute, Kansas. He was the eldest child of Allen Calvin and Betty Louise (Ogden) Kirby. Allen attended high school in Chanute, graduating in 1965. Allen continued a family tradition as the fourth of five generations to serve his country when he enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard in 1965. In 1968, he entered active duty service in the United States Navy, where he deployed to Vietnam as a gunner on river patrol boats in the Rung Sat Special Zone. Allen rejoined the Kansas Army National Guard in 1974 and entered active duty service again in 1984. He served in several units, notably as the Senior Enlisted Personnel Advisor for the Kansas Army National Guard, 130th Field Artillery Brigade Sergeant Major, and 69th Troop Command Sergeant Major. Allen retired at the rank of Sergeant Major with a total of 39 years of service to the Nation. His numerous awards include the Legion of Merit and four Meritorious Service Medals. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1654 and the American Legion Post 170 in Chanute, Kansas, as well as a staunch supporter of the Museum of the Kansas National Guard. Allen married the love of his life and best friend Terri (Jensen) Kirby in 1972 and moved to Topeka, Kansas in 1986. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, daughter Amanda (Kirby) Winter and husband Josh of Olathe, KS and son Captain Shawn Kirby and wife Jennifer in Fort Rucker, AL; two sisters, Barbara (Kirby) Haller and Julie Kirby; three grandchildren, Ashtyn and Kaden Winter, and Kensington Kirby; and 10 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, loving stepmother Frances “Sally” Kirby, and sister Brenda (Kirby) Kamm. Visitation will be Tuesday, February 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home - Gibson Chapel, 16 North Forest in Chanute, KS. Interment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1002 East 14th Street in Chanute, KS. Services will include a full military ceremony. Memorials have been suggested to the Museum of the Kansas National Guard or Wounded Warrior Project and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to: Countryside Funeral Home 16 N. Forest, Chanute, KS 66720. The family wishes to send an enormous thank you to the Good Samaritan Society – Valley Vista for the excellent care and friendship you provided.

Allen "AC" Calvin Kirby II

October 13, 1947 - February 8, 2018