George Rowan Kilby's Obituary
Surrounded by his family, George Rowan Kilby died on June 15th after a courageous battle with cancer.
George was born in Anniston, Alabama on March 27th, 1934 to Thomas Erby Kilby Jr. and Rose Rowan Kilby. He grew up on 11th Street and Woodstock Avenue in the historic Kilby House, home of Governor Thomas Erby Kilby (1919-23, deceased 1943).
George attended preparatory school at St. George's School in Newport, Rhode Island. He attended Princeton University where he competed on the football and wrestling teams, and graduated in 1956 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.
After graduation, George returned to Anniston, where he worked at Kilby Steel Company. In 1971, the company was sold to FMC Corporation. George left FMC to relaunch Kilby Steel as a machine shop in 1986, which he ran until his retirement.
George will always be remembered as a kind, honest, and selfless gentleman, guided by his unwavering devotion to his family. Inspired by family ski trips, fly fishing and Colorado mountain living, he thrived in retirement.
George was preceded in death by his first wife, Houston Andrews, and his stepson, Loy Thompson. George is survived by his beloved wife, Farley; his sons George, Tom, and Whit, his stepdaughters Farley and Martel; his grandchildren, Arthur, Rosie, Houston, and Julia; his step-grand-daughters Grace, Adele, Camille, Sarah Kate, and Loy; and his step-great-granddaughters Kilby, Weldon, and Carlisle.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or your favorite charity.
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