Kirby Laurel Pickus Obituary

On Friday, May 22, 2026, Kirby Pickus, age 84, passed away in Gilbert, AZ. He was born March 20, 1942, in Atascadero, California. Kirby went to college and played basketball at UCSB and UCR. After getting his bachelor's in California, he got his theology degree at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he met his soon-to-be wife, Jean Pickus. They got married in 1971 in Atlanta. They raised two boys, Kyle and Garrett Pickus. Kirby was a silly, charismatic person who loved his wife and sons.

Kirby was a pastor for over 30 years. He served churches in Southern California, Hawaii, and Arizona. Beyond the church, he enjoyed photography, computer design, and watching sports. He loved his Phoenix Suns. He planned a lot of great family trips throughout the US from the Grand Canyon to Kauai to Maui. He also was a great cat father to Punky, Summer, Newton, and Drew.

Kirby was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Kathryn Pickus. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jean; his sons, Kyle and Garrett; and his brother, Kurt.