Kirby Burney Obituary (1954 - 2024)

To the Burney Family and Friends, In the time of your loss, Carnes Funeral Home would like to extend our deepest condolences. It is our honor to serve your family... As a reminder, Guests are invited to share in a Celebration of Life Visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m., followed by 11:00 a.m. Funeral Services on Wednesday, March 6th, 2024, at Carnes Funeral Home – Texas City, 3100 Gulf Freeway Texas City, Texas 77573. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m., Linney Cemetery, 339 N. Colbert, Dayton, TX 77575. Kirby Lynn Burney, 69, passed away on February 29, 2024, at home with his family after a long illness. Kirby was born in Orange, Texas on November 11, 1954, to Willie Mae (Ketchum) Burney and James Wallace Burney. Kirby was a Professional Rodeo Bull Fighter for twenty-two years and worked many prestigious rodeos as well as being on the Wrangler Pro Bullfighting Tour. He started his career at twelve years old when he traveled in the summers with Rodeo Clown, Bo Bland. Kirby was inducted into the Cowboy Protection Association Ring of Fire in 2020 and was inducted into the Original Wrangler Bullfights Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2021. Kirby is preceded in death by both parents and sister, Karla Rae Smith. Kirby is survived by his wife of twenty-four years, Melissa; daughter, Codi Burney Stepanski and husband Corby; two stepsons, Ross Eaves and Ryan Eaves and wife Chrissy; seven grandchildren, Colin Welcome, Kennedi Stepanski , Skylar Stepanski, and Sydney Stepanski, Cooper Eaves, Claire Eaves and Brooks Eaves. Serving as Pallbearers are Doug Harris, Skipper Voss, Jerry Don Galloway, David Burnham, Carlton Fancher and Blaine Koonce. Honorary Pallbearers will be Alan Duff, Randy Duff, Johnny Duff, Ronnie Williams, Keith Knox, Micheal “Smurf” Horton, Steve Tomac, Miles Hares and Scott Reed. Kirby’s Memorial service will be on March 6, 2024, with a 10 am Visitation, 11 am Funeral Service at the Carnes Funeral Home - Texas City, Texas. Burial will follow at the Linney Cemetery in Dayton, Texas with by a Celebration of Life gathering after graveside services. In Lieu of Flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Cowboys Helping Cowboys Organization at PO Box 775 Post, TX 79356.