Kirby Edward Cairns passed away Wednesday morning, Oct. 28, 2015, at the age of 56, after his courageous 2½ year battle with cancer.
Kirby was born in San Francisco, Calif., on May 18, 1959, the second of three children to Ed and Pat Cairns. He grew up in Yankton, S.D., and Denver, Colo., although he spent most of his childhood in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Kirby married his wife Becky on Feb. 2, 1985. They served together through YWAM in the Philippines and Hong Kong before returning to California. God blessed them with three children, Lucas, Andrew and Breanna.
Kirby worked as a truck driver and delivery man for 10 years before following Christ’s call to move to the Central Valley of California in 1992 to work with at-risk teens at Valley Teen Ranch. The Cairns family moved to North Fork in 1996. In 2000, Kirby and Becky started and owned Pak & Page business in Oakhurst until 2005. Kirby returned to his devoted work at Valley Teen Ranch until his battle with cancer necessitated his retirement.
Kirby was a deeply devoted follower of Jesus Christ. He loved the outdoors and took every chance to appreciate God’s creation. He also enjoyed fishing, hiking and camping with his children, as well as playing the acoustic guitar. He was an avid reader of the Bible, history and theology books. He sought out every opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ with anyone he met.
Kirby was a loving devoted husband to Becky Cairns, his wife of 30 years; a loving father to his three children, Lucas (wife Kelly and grandchild to be born in 2016) from Milford, Ohio; Andrew from North Fork, Calif.; and Breanna from North Fork, Calif. He is also survived by his mother Patricia Cairns-Carlisle (husband Jim), his brother Peter (wife Kim) and sister Robin (husband Wayne).
A memorial service will be held at Sierra Pines Church on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 3 p.m. Memorial gifts can be sent to: Sierra Pines Church, 40855 Covey Ct., Oakhurst, CA 93644 to honor his heart for supporting local youth to participate in Youth With A Mission outreach.
