Ken Kirby

Kenneth Paul (Ken) Kirby, age 86, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2026, at his home in Bethel Acres surrounded by family. Ken was born on January 6, 1940, in Caddo, Oklahoma, to Monnie Marie (Tucker) Kirby and Silas Irrie Kirby, the fourth of six children. He graduated from Sulphur High School in 1958. Ken married Maelena Saar in March of 1960. They were married 19 years and had two daughters, Melinda Carol on February 20, 1961, and Cindi Ann on November 2, 1962.

Ken married Erma (Collett) Faulk on November 9, 1987. They began their married life in Prague, Oklahoma, later relocating to Shawnee then Bethel Acres where they enjoyed their country home and spending lots of time making memories with their cherished grandchildren, children and other family members. He had a talent for working with his hands and could always come up with a way to fix anything that was broken or invent an easier way to do a task. He was ornery, witty, and never afraid to say exactly what was on his mind. He was such a sweet partner and more often than not called Erma his Angel Pie. As a young boy and into adulthood until health issues robbed him of the majority of his ability to hear, Ken loved to coon hunt with his lifelong friends, spending many hours roaming the woods and countryside with them and his beloved hounds. He retired from Oklahoma Natural Gas Company in 1995 after 35 years of service. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior when he was 39 years old at First Baptist Church of Harrah, Oklahoma, and always regretted that he hadn't done it much sooner. His fondest wish and prayer to the end of his life was that his children and grandchildren would do the same before it is eternally too late.

Ken is survived by his wife of 38 years, Erma, his daughter Cindi Ann Watson and partner, Jerry Duncan of Yukon, OK, step-daughters Shelly Harrell and husband Curtis Harrell and Lisa Gifford all of Shawnee, OK, son-in-law Steve Halsted of Corpus Christi, TX, sister Peggy Johnson and husband, Rollie Johnson of Yukon, Oklahoma, sister and brother-in-law Lawana McKinley and husband, Perry McKinley of McLoud, Oklahoma. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Dustin and Brady Watson, Kirby Halsted and Noelle(Halsted) Moore, Christopher, Amanda and Casey Harrell, Stephanie and Jeremiah Gifford as well as 19 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and extended family members.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Silas Irrie and Monnie Marie Kirby, his daughter, Melinda Carol Halsted, his brother and sister-in-law, Thomas Samuel and Billie Kirby, sister and brother-in-law, Joyce Faye and Ernest Wilson, sister and brother-in-law, Wanda Jean and Leon Clausen, sister and brother-in-law Linda Kay and Ranndy Taylor, brothers-in-law Eugene and Grady Collett.

Cremation arrangments are under the direction of Walker Funeral & Cremation Service. 

A memorial ceremony at Sharon Baptist Church will be scheduled at a later date.