Ben Kirbo II

Published 3:17 pm Friday, March 29, 2019

Ben Kirbo II

March 28, 2019

Ben Kirbo II, 76, of Bainbridge, Ga., passed away Thursday, March 28, 2019.

The graveside memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Oak City Cemetery with Rusty Simpson and Rev. Matthew Calhoun officiating.

The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 2:30 to 3 p.m., on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Oak City Cemetery. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities, 795 Gatewood Road, NE,Atlanta, GA 30329.

Ben Kirbo II was born December 10, 1942, in Bainbridge, Ga., the son of Benjamin Gaston “Jack” Kirbo and Lyda Waters Kirbo. He was the grandson of the late Ben & Ethel Kirbo and LeRoy & Lyda Green Waters. Ben was a graduate of Bainbridge High School, Class of 1960. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a business degree and from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1967.

Ben loved the law and knew at a young age he wanted to be an attorney. He was a ferocious advocate for his clients and loyal until the end. He never accepted a case unless the law supported his position and he finished the job no matter the cost to him personally. His career spanned 52 years. Ben was an avid UGA fan, often dreaming of days gone by in Athens. He would say, “You can leave Athens, but Athens never leaves you.” Often described as “grouchy guts”, Ben put family first and loved each one in his own special way. He claimed one friend, Dana, and finally came to accept he could do nothing about it except shake his head and chuckle. Ben was also a strong supporter and investor in Coors Brewing Co. and Levi Garrett.

Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Sheila Sheffield Kirbo; his children, Leigh Nester and her husband, Brad, of Tallahassee, Fla. and Adam Bishop Kirbo & Ivy Lee Heard also of Tallahassee; his grandchildren, Collin, Chandler and Aiden Nester; his siblings, Krys Janes of Hawthorne, Fla., Jim L. & Rita Bishop of Keystone Heights, Fla., and Cary R. & Charlene Bishop of Cairo, Ga.; his seven nieces & nephews; and his nine great-nieces & nephews. Ben was preceded in death by his mother, Lyda Waters Kirbo Bishop; both of his fathers, Benjamin Gaston “Jack” Kirbo and Jason L. Bishop; his son, Benjamin Gaston “Jack” Kirbo II; his daughter, Krysia Taylor Kirbo; his nephew, Jason Brian Bishop; and his brother-in-law, Jack Janes.