Kirby J. Messer

Kirby J. Messer, 45, Moses Lake resident passed away Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at home surrounded by his loving family and friends. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 12, 2010 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church with Father Felipe Pulido officiating. Kirby Jerome Messer was born on May 13, 1965 in Princeton Minnesota. He is the youngest of three children born to Jerome and Lucille Messer. He moved to Moses Lake in 1973, where he attended grade and middle school,. He then moved to Royal City in his Junior year of High School and graduated at the top of his class from Royal City High School in 1983. After graduation, Kirby attended Columbia Basin Community College in theTri-Cities, and graduated with his Associates of Arts Degree in Carpentry and Building Technology in 1985. He then moved back to Moses Lake where he worked at various carpentry and finishing jobs before he became employed at Union Carbide on April 18, 1991, which later became Asimi , and is now known as REC, where he became an Advanced Engineering Designer. He had many passions in his life and was meticulous in everything he did. His number one passion was his family, and loved being with his boys first and foremost. He taught and shared his love for the outdoors, in hunting, fishing, while still making time to get to every sports or school event. Kirby made it a point to spend time with his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and always thanked his mother for the great meals she made for him. (MOM… I LIKE YOU) Kirby was an avid hunter, both rifle and bow, hunting bear, deer, and elk, with his most exciting hunt the year he drew a mountain goat tag. He had a way of describing his hunting adventures in such detail that you could swear you were there sweating and doing all of the work with him. He shared his hunts with his father, brother, good friend, Dan, cousins, and other friends. He also delighted in doing the fine art of taxidermy on his trophy hunts. Kirby also enjoyed many rides on his motorcycle with family and friends. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge of Moses Lake, he served on the board of the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation, he was a MLHS Football Booster, a member of the NRA, actively supported Our House in Wenatchee, and continued fundraising for cancer support with the Kirby Derby. Kirby met Lori Gettings in the 6th grade, dated again in High School, and later reconnected after college, where he ran into her while she was working at Samaritan Hospital and he was onsite for a construction job. He often mentioned that one of the best moments of his life, was when he ran into her again. They married on August 11, 1989 and added to their lives with 3 sons, Braden (21), Colton (18), and Hunter (13). He was loved and appreciated more in his 45 years than most people are in their whole lives. He made it a point to tell people that he was thankful and grateful for what they did for him and tried to pay it forward whenever he could. He loved people and accepted them as they were. He tried to see the positive side of a people and situations. His laugh was profoundly heartfelt and genuine. He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Lori, and their three sons, Braden, Colton and Hunter, his parents, Jerome and Lucy Messer of Moses Lake, his brother Kelly Messer (Pennie) of Moses Lake, his sister, Kathy Messer Erickson of Moses Lake, (Wade), Joseph Gettings (Annette) of Renton, WA, Barbara Gettings (Doug) of Los Banos, CA, James Gettings (April) of Moses Lake, Liz Price (Bob) of Roseburg, OR. His nieces are Cassandra, Nicole, Courtney, Haley, Brooke, and nephews are Caleb, Kasey, Zach, Kurrick, and Julien. He was proceeded in death by his father-in-law, Gail Gettings. Special Mention: Dan Nelson , Ben Getz (office wife), Bill Weech, for their friendship, adventures, and laughter. Kirby considered them to be brothers and often referred to them as (brothers from another mother). And to Hunter (HEY BABY). The family would like to acknowledge special thanks to Dr. Dennis Kearns, Annie Anderson, Dr. Mandy Robertson, Father Felipe Pulido, Carlene Cardon, Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation of Moses Lake, Our House in Wenatchee, WA, Jennifer from Hospice, and most appreciated was the community of Moses Lake, who donated their time, energy, love and support in Kirby’s journey through his illness. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations to be made to the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 337, Moses Lake, WA 98837. Please sign the online book or leave a note for the family at www.kayserchapel.com. , and /or kirbymesserfoundation.webs.com.

Kirby J. Messer

May 13, 1965 - July 6, 2010