Roy Kilby Jr.
Roy Kilby Jr., 95, Columbia City, passed away Friday, Nov. 11, 2016.
He was born July 15, 1921 in Veedersburg, the son of Roy and Vera Kilby Sr. He lived his life to the very fullest and loved and enjoyed his family and friends. He was fortunate in that he was able to dedicate his career to teaching, coaching and mentoring the youth of Whitley County.
Roy and Ruth “Babe” Nelson were married March 14, 1943. Tragically their young son, Michael Roy Kilby, passed away May 10, 1947.
He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Indiana University and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Roy played varsity basketball and baseball at I.U. World War II interrupted his college aspirations and Kilby served in the United States Army from 1943 through 1945. He saw intense combat in the European War Theater. For valor displayed and after being wounded on the battlefield, he received the purple heart medal. He was a lifetime member of Columbia City American Legion Post #98 and Elks Lodge #1417.
Roy started his teaching and coaching career at Columbia City High School in the autumn of 1947. Kilby coached high school varsity basketball five years and started the summer baseball program in the Spring of 1949. He directed the JAA basketball program for 31 years and taught in the Columbia City school system for 36 years.
The first morning summer baseball program at DeVol field called “wake-up” began with 30 city boys and grew to more than 1000 city and county boys and girls by the mid 1970’s. His motto was “to have a place for every boy and girl who could swing a bat.”
In 1942 he developed as an avid young collegiate basketball referee. Kilby had a long officiating career and was honored to referee the 1967 final IHSAA Indiana Boys High School Basketball Tournament at Indianapolis as well as calling the 1967 NCAA South Central Regional at Evansville. Again in 1968 he refereed the final game of the IHSAA Indiana Boys High School Basketball Tournament.
In 1965 he was admitted to the Indiana High School Basketball Silver Anniversary Team and he received the President’s Physical Fitness Award. In 1975 he was awarded the 25 year youth service award from Columbia City. In 1981 he was admitted to the Delaware County Athletic Hall of Fame and in 1985 Kilby was inducted into the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame in Indianapolis.
He was especially grateful to the Columbia City Mayoral Administration including Mayor James Teghtmeyer, City Council officials and City Attorney Tim Bloom when the city designated the Roy Kilby Trail in September 1995.
Roy is survived by his wife, Ruth; his son, Ric (Kathy) and a daughter, Debbe (David) Lambert; grandsons, Jack (Angelia) Kilby, Jason Lambert and Josh (Shalisa) Lambert; eight great grandchildren, Jack R. Kilby III, Jade Lambert and Ethan Lambert; step grandchildren, Joe (Mindy) Sloop, James (Jackie) Sloop; and step-great grandchildren, Celsey, Andrew, Jared, Jacob and Jenna Sloop.
Two sisters also preceded Roy in death, Wyoma Robinson and Adeline Griffey.
A private family burial will be held at Elm Ridge Memorial Park in Muncie.
Preferred memorials are to Heartland Enriching Life or Roy Kilby Field of Interest Fund payable to Community Foundation of Whitley County.
Arrangements are entrusted to Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.