Gary Lee Kirby Class of 1965

Inducted to the Wall of Distinction Class of 2020

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Varsity Letters in three sports Basketball, Football, Track Senior Class President Boys State1969Graduate of Morehead State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Math and Biology1967-1969 Biology Lab Assistant President of Theta Chi Fraternity. Served in 1969-1971 as a Math Teacher and Football coach in Jefferson Co Ky Public Schools. 1971-1977 Army National Guard Active Training Fort Campbell, Ky and Ft Sill, Oklahoma, Tornado Disaster recovery 1972-1986. The Upjohn Co. Pharmaceutical Sales Won Sales Academy for Top 5% Marketing Product Manager, Motrin—Largest product in Upjohn history Took Business classes at Western Michigan University. 1986-2003 Glaxo Smith Kline Senior Product Manager Zantac North America. which became first product in history to surpass2 Billion in sales. Served as a Middle School Student Tutor as part of Glaxo Community Outreach Glaxo Vice President -Marketing North America Glaxo Vice President-Sales, Eastern Sector, North America Lead team of 1200 Sales Representatives Championed Job Sharing for Employees, allowing employees to work part time especially new moms. Glaxo Vice President-World Wide Business Development Traveled extensively in the US and Europe 2004-2006 Consultant for Campbell Alliance. Gary was always athletic and competitive at the age of 50 he began to do Triathlons with son, Scott. He participated in several over the next few years and even did a half-Ironman.He loved the motto”Knock your socks off” taken from a business book he had read and he used it in his Business motivation speeches as well as in his personal goals.He was very involved in Church in many different areas of service.He taught a Young Married Class, was a Deacon and later Elder, among manyother roles. Co-Founder of Gary Lee Kirby 501C3 Charitable Fund For Cancer Research Which continued after Gary’s death and raised over $100,000 for Cancer Research 2003-2006 While undergoing many cancer treatments, Gary was an encouragement and friend to many other patients and medical staff, always sharing his strong Faith and optimism in the midst of trials. AWESOME Husband, Dad and Grandpa