James Kerby

James Sidney Kerby, 65, of The Colony, Texas was called home on October 16, 2011 with his family by his side.

He was born December 5, 1945 in Bedias, Texas to Bland and Lela Kerby. He was the youngest of their three children.
James attended high school in Grapeland, Texas where he met Margaret Riley, the mother of his two eldest daughters, Kristin and Cherie. His career in the newspaper business began in Grapeland as well, but quickly stretched outside of the city limits.
James’s newspaper career took him to several different places in the state of Texas, including Lufkin, Dallas, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Palestine, and Crockett, as well as cities in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky and Florida. Later in his career he served as publisher of the Harlan Daily Enterprise, Harlan Kentucky, the Richmond Register, Richmond, Kentucky, and The Observer, New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Along the way, James met the love of his life, Lauren McDaniel Kerby, the mother of his youngest daughter, Jan. Lauren and James shared many happy years together during their journey through life.
James was always dedicated to his newspaper career, but even more so, he was a devoted father to his children and a loving husband. James was a good, strong man with a heart the size of the state he loved. No matter where life took him, Texas and his family were always home.
James is survived by his three daughters, Kristin Reynolds and husband Jeff Reynolds, Cherie Phillips, Jan Carter and husband Robbie Carter; sister, Frances Mason and husband Jack Mason; brother, Weldon Kerby and wife Sandra Kerby; four grandchildren, Amber Phillips, Colby Reynolds, Carson Reynolds, and Cooper Reynolds; three nieces and three nephews along with their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bland and Lela Kerby.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, October 18 at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Bailey officiating. James will be laid to rest at Hibbitt Cemetery, a serene setting that was his request under the direction of Geo. J. Carroll & Son in Gainesville, Texas. Family and friends encourage those who would like to attend services or sign the online register available at Geo. J. Carroll & Son’s website. www.geojcarroll.com