Kirby Gene Claxton 1960-2018
Kirby died on early Tuesday, February 20, one day short of his 58th birthday. Kirby was
the consummate Native Floridian. Kirby is survived by his wife Trish, mother Jo
Claxton, brother Cody Claxton, Sister Susan Wood, and Uncle Arlis Claxton, and
the local ballroom dance community. Kirby was born and raised in the Orlando
area and has been a long time resident of Altamonte Springs, FL. Kirby was a
locally popular DJ for ballroom dancing clubs in the area, known for the “Hump
Day Dance” on Wednesdays.. He specialized in adjusting songs to be the right
tempo and duration for ballroom dancing. Kirby was also an award-winning dancer
in his own right.
Kirby was a loving and romantic husband. Kirby was also a loving son who called his mother
almost daily and enjoyed ballroom dancing with her. Kirby was a loving brother
who spent time with Cody shooting competition matches and enjoying the outdoors
together. Kirby and Susan enjoyed everyday family time together. Kirby worked
over 23 years as a laboratory technician, and office manager for Dr.Howard
Buchoff, rheumatologist, where he was loved by Dr. Buchoff, the staff and
patients. He met his wife Trish in 2002 and married in 2009 after proposing to
her on a trip to Costa Rica. They travelled together as well as danced together
and hosted the Hump Day Dances.
Kirby has led a very active life, and embraced life fully. In his teenage years he was
active in motorcycle trail biking and motocross racing. He obtained his
Associates Degree and certification as Medical Laboratory Technician. He later
became a certified scuba diver and cave diver. He was an avid fisherman, and
for some time worked on a deep sea fishing boat. The smile on his face when catching
a fish was unforgettable. He was also an avid hunter, having bagged many deer,
wild boar, turkey, pheasant and more with rifles, muzzleloaders, shotgun, and
bow. He also loved firearms, and was a competitive handgun shooter with his
brother Cody. Kirby was also a single-engine pilot, and loved to fly with Trish
around Florida. Kirby was also a proficient boat captain, jet-skier, canoer,
and paddle-boarder.
Kirby lost his fight with cancer after receiving experimental cancer treatment, accepting the
risks and helping to advance cancer research.
Kirby was a man who was loved and admired by everyone. His presence in our lives will be
sorely missed. We know heaven will benefit from his DJ music, and his dance
moves. And, he will love the fishing there.
The Crystal Ballroom at Casselberry will be hosting a memorial
service and dance on March 14.
Donations to cancer research in lieu of flowers should be submitted to American Cancer Society at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/Events/MosaicofHope?pg=fund&fr_id=9910&pxfid=2312445