Gene Kierbow

Albert Eugene (Gene) Kierbow left this earthly realm on January 16, 2025 after a
lengthy and valiant battle with Alzheimer’s. Gene was born in Manchester, Georgia to
Andrew Albert Kierbow and Mary Alice Swanson Kierbow.

He was a graduate of the University of Georgia. After graduation, he moved to Griffin to
begin what would be a 35 year tenure with the Griffin Spalding County School System by accepting a position as one of three head coaches for the Griffin High Eagles football team. It was during that time he became affectionately known throughout his lifetime as “Coach” or “Coach Kierbow”. Early on in his career he also took on the title of Truant Officer and later became Director of Transportation, before taking on his most daunting role as Superintendent of Schools five years prior to his retirement.

Gene was a devout Christian and believed that serving others is our highest calling. Even after retirement, he continued his life of servitude by volunteering weekly at the food pantry of his beloved church, Cumming First United Methodist. His dedication to
improving the lives of others will be dearly missed.

A loyal Dawgs fan – he rarely missed a televised game and thoroughly enjoyed watching other sports as well. Despite his penchant for a good game, his true love was his family, and he relished being “Daddy” to his children, “Pa” to his grandkids and a devoted and loving husband to his wife of 38 years, Cynthia. Always the jokester, he had an infectious smile and laugh, along with a wicked sense of humor that even the Alzheimer’s could not extinguish.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife, Cynthia Kierbow,
two daughters from his first marriage, Kimberly Dawn Kierbow and Lisa Kierbow
Mathews (Bruce), bonus son Derek Murphy (Bethany), along with his three
grandchildren, Kali Allyn Mathews Haney (Brian), Kirbi Mathews, and Madi Murphy.
He is also survived by his sister, Louise Owsley and several nieces and nephews.
Warm thanks to the staff at The Oaks Memory Care Center and Hospice for their
outstanding love and care provided to Gene throughout his stay there.

An intimate funeral for family and close friends will be officiated by Pastor Kathie
Stasko on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 11am in the chapel at McDonald and Son
Funeral Home in Cumming, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made in memory of
Gene to one of the following:

Cumming First United Methodist Church:
For checks: P.O. Box 606, Cumming, GA 30028
(please write in memory of Gene on the memo line)
Online: www.cfumcga.com (please choose the Memorial option)

Five Loaves and Two Fish Food Pantry in Griffin, Georgia:
https://www.griffinfoodpantry.org/

McDonald and Son Funeral Home in Cumming, Georgia is in charge of the
arrangements.