Jackie O. Kearbey, Sr. was born Jan. 14, 1937 in rural Butler County, Missouri, a son of the late Braidy Champ and Cassie Lee (Bailey) Kearbey.
Jack, formerly of Poplar Bluff, entered eternal rest Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James, Missouri where he had resided for over 14 years.
Jack married Sarah Olivia Mostellar July 12, 1959, in Midway, Alabama. To the union two children were born: Jackie O. Kearbey, Jr. and Kathryn Olivia (Kearbey) Wiggins.
He is survived by his son Jack Jr. (Julie) of St. James, and daughter Olivia (Mark) Wiggins, of Highlandville, Missouri. Jack also has four grandchildren, Cassie (Kearbey) Block, of Willard, Missouri, Christopher Kearbey (Shelby), of Park Hills, Missouri, Zachary Wiggins, of Nixa, Missouri, and Jacob Wiggins, of Highlandville. Two great-grandchildren, Brody and Braiden Block of Willard; a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. The other family who are very near and dear to our hearts are the fellow Veteran residents, and staff of the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James who take such pride in caring for each of the Veterans that have passed through the doors over the years, and showed a tremendous love to our beloved Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, and friend.
He was preceded in death by his wife, father, mother, and brothers, Harold Kearbey, Jim Kearbey, Ace Kearbey, and Hoover Kearbey; and his sister, Eileen (Kearbey) LeGrand.
Jack was a long time member of the Bethel Chapel located in Butler County; a member of the Poplar Bluff Chapter #344 of the Order of the Eastern Star, where he served in many positions; he was also a 50 plus member of the Masons.
Jack joined the United States Air Force in 1959 and spent the next 20 years serving his country, returning to the family farm after he retired. Jack worked for a number of years at LeGrand's feed and Fertilizer in Poplar Bluff, he really enjoyed working with the farmers. He will always be remembered for always wanting to help anyone that needed any type of assistance. At the Veterans home he always had candy and bubble gum that he gave out when people came to help him or to just visit him.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at the St. James Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary and also from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 2018 at the Cotrell Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, with the service to be held on Friday, May 11, 2018 at 10 a.m. at the Cotrell Funeral Home. Burial with Full Military Honors will be at the Kearbey Chapel Cemetery in Butler County. Memorials are suggested and appreciated to the St. James Veterans Home Assistance League at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James, a group that supports our Veterans at the St. James facility. Cards are available at both funeral homes.
Paid