Frank T. Kirby; Automobile Dealer

Frank T. Kirby, who founded Kirby Oldsmobile, died in his sleep of heart failure Thursday. He was 77.

Born in Chicago’s South Side, Kirby graduated from Ohio University in 1936 with a degree in business.

Kirby worked in his father’s automobile business in Chicago, which he later took over. He sold that business in 1969, three years after he opened his Oldsmobile dealership on East Main Street in Ventura.

Kirby’s sons, John and Frank R. Kirby, expanded their father’s business to become Kirby Oldsmobile-Jeep-Eagle-Suzuki. The business was moved to the Ventura Auto Center in 1972.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Kirby of Camarillo; two sons, Frank R. Kirby of Camarillo and John W. Kirby of Ojai; a daughter, Judith Kirby of Kelsey, Calif.; a sister, Frances Gaffney of Florida; five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Monday at 3 p.m. at Pierce Bros. Griffin Mortuary, Camarillo.