Kirby “Zipp” Zane Smithe of Winona, MN, formerly of Broken Arrow, OK, passed unexpectedly the morning of November 11, 2025. Kirby was born January 12, 1968 to Kirby Mobley Smithe and Celia June (Wehling) Smithe (at the time) in Tuscan, AZ. Kirby graduated from Broken Arrow High School in OK in 1986 where he played football. Kirby was a kind and gentle soul. He was an active athlete playing soccer as a boy and softball as an adult. He enjoyed studying history, and debating politics. Kirby enlisted in the United States Air Force and became a firefighter, as such responded to Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995, and deployed multiple times overseas; he was the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation, Achievement, and the Good Conduct Medals (among others). He was a veteran of the Global War on Terrorism, a proud firefighter, and Airman; he concluded his military service with the 138th in Tulsa at the rank of Master Sergeant.

Kirby is survived by his wife of 18 years: Stacey Smithe; sons Kirby Maxey and wife Jessica, Erik Smithe and wife Bailey; step-daughters: Shania and Bianca Mueller; grandson: Soren Maxey; granddaughters: Leyla and Hattie Smithe; mother: Celia and Stepfather Dale LeMense; Stepmother: Sandra Smithe; brother: Jason Smithe and wife Stella; half-brother: Mark LeMense and wife Elizabeth; and half-sister: Deborah and husband Frank DiNuzzo; as well as countless aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Kirby will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Kirby is preceded in death by his father Kirby Mobley Smithe.

Visitation will be at St. Mary’s in Winona, MN on November 22 at 9:30am with funeral and mass to follow; final resting place will be St Mary's Cemetery in Winona. A celebration of life will be held at Broken Arrow Church of Christ in Broken Arrow, OK on December 8 at 11am.

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