Brian Kirby, a former draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds, tragically died last week in an accident on the roof of a church in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He was 46 years old.
Details of the Incident
Kirby was working as an HVAC technician for Kirby Heating and Air at Graves Memorial Baptist Church when the accident occurred. The church shared a Facebook post on April 15 stating that a tragic accident happened involving an employee of the company. The post described Kirby as more than an employee, calling him part of the church family and community. His loss is deeply felt by all who knew him.
Out of respect for the family, the church canceled services that evening to provide them with space, privacy, and respect during their time of mourning. The church asked for prayers for the Kirby family, the Kirby Heating and Air team, and all those affected by this heartbreaking situation.
Investigation
The cause of death and the circumstances leading to the accident remain unclear. According to a report obtained by the Christian Post, the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office responded to a call at approximately 11:20 a.m. and found Kirby unresponsive on the roof. The report indicated that a drone was used to locate Kirby's body near two air conditioning units on the roof.
Baseball Career
Kirby was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 23rd round of the 1997 MLB draft out of high school but chose to attend the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In 2001, he was drafted again, this time in the 31st round by the Cleveland Indians, and began his professional career.
Kirby played five seasons of minor-league baseball, reaching the Triple-A level as part of the Colorado Rockies organization in 2005. He played catcher, first base, and outfield during his 361 career games, batting .231 with 50 home runs.
Survivors
Kirby is survived by his wife, Jennifer, their two daughters, and his parents, Curtis and Cindy.
