"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…"

2 Timothy 4:7

Kirby was born on September 13, 1942, in Abbeville, Louisiana to the late Fredman Sr. and Irene Guidry Hardy. He transitioned peacefully on Friday, September 29, 2023, at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with his two children, Karen, and Kurt, at his bedside. Kirby was the youngest of six siblings. He began his education at Carver Elementary in DeRidder, Louisiana then continued elementary, middle, and high school at Washington High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana graduating in 1962. He was nominated 'best dressed' student in his Senior Year of High School, and that title carried throughout his life's journey.

He was also a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and Knights St. Peter Claver Council 141.

After three years of engagement to his high school sweetheart, Semonia, they married on June 5, 1965, and from their union, three beautiful babies were born, Kevin, Karen, and Kurt.

Kirby was employed by PPG for 30 years, and he retired at age 55. He believed in family first and was an avid sports fan. He loved his grandkids and took much pleasure in watching and supporting them while playing sports and interacting in school activities. He enjoyed playing the power ball, mega million, the lottery ticket, and pick 3, which he used his badge number as his lucky number. His hobby was listening to several diverse types of music, one in particular was zydeco. He loved dancing and wearing his Western outfits. Kirby was known for wearing many styles of hats. Kirby loved to have fun and tell jokes. But most of all Kirby had the most beautiful smile and he would starting laughing immediately and it would warm your heart.

Kirby was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart, Semonia Lemelle Hardy; his eldest son, Kevin Hardy; parents Fredman Hardy Sr. and Irene Gladys Guidry Hardy; father-in-law, Telesphore Lemelle; mother-in-law, Lillian (Jones) Lemelle; nieces, Monica Guillory, Julie and Wanda Lemelle; nephews, Matt Hardy and Derek Lemelle; sister-in-law; Barbara Allison; brothers-in-law; Franklin Geyen, Charles Lemelle, Eugene Lemelle, and Willie Smith.

He leaves to cherish his beautiful daughter and caretaker, Karen (Harold) McReynolds, and son, Kurt (Tracie) Hardy. Granddaughters, Karley Picou and Kennedy Hardy; grandsons, Karlin Hardy, and Kelvin Hardy; great-grandson, Kyrick "Ky " Picou; siblings; Joel (Donella) Hardy, Rosa Bello, Fredman Jr. (Geraldine) Hardy, Syrilda Guillory and Mae Belle Smith; sisters-in-law; Dorothy Geyen and Mary Lemelle of St. Louis, brother-in-law; Frederick (Connie) Lemelle and Thomas (Margaret) Lemelle; and a host of nieces, nephews, other loving family members, and friends.

A special acknowledgments to their BONUS Daughters, Juanita Darbonne-Davis; Symetress Robins; Crystal Lewis-Brown who shared a common bond of a green thumb, and Connie Nelson, who he called "Michelle Obama."