- Date Of Birth: September 3, 1938
- Date Of Death: September 1, 2021
- State: Colorado
John Wallace “Wally” Kirby passed away peacefully on September 1st, 2021, just two days short of his 86th birthday at St. Thomas More Progressive Care Center in Cañon City.
He was born in Pueblo, CO to his beloved parents, John and Clara LaVerna Kirby on September 3, 1935. Wally contracted polio at the age of 6 and credits his mother for encouraging him to persevere and not let his physical disability interfere with his future accomplishments. Wally attended St. Leander Catholic School until his father was transferred to Trinidad, CO where he attended Most Holy Trinity Catholic School in 7th & 8th grade. Wally developed a love for music early in his childhood and learned to play both the piano and violin when he was 12 years old. When his family moved once again to Denver, CO, Wally transferred to St. Regis High School where he graduated in 1952. While in high school he loved to play the pipe organ located in the chapel on the school campus.
After completing his college education, Wally had a long and successful career working for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) as an engineer. During the 1970s and 80s, he loved to travel. Some of his favorite trips were to Ireland, touring Europe with his mother, Clara, and traveling to the Tarahumara High Hills in Mexico where he explored the legendary Copper Canyon.
In 1994 Wally had a new home built and moved to Cañon City. After moving here, he also traveled back to New York where he met with officials at the Steinway Piano Company to have a new piano designed and built especially for him.
He enjoyed telling his friends the story of how the grand piano was delivered in large sections and was assembled in his living room. Wally was an active member of the Cañon City Music Club where he performed recitals on both the organ and piano and hosted many of their meetings in his home. He also taught organ and piano lessons privately to many students. His favorite pastimes were listening to classical music, driving to Denver to see the symphony orchestra perform in concert, and going on long (and fast!) car drives throughout Southern Colorado.
Wally was a devoted parishioner at St.
