Kirby Bernard La Caze Jr.

Kirby B. LaCaze, Jr., or "Buddy"as many called him, of Placentia, California passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, July 18, 2019 at his home surrounded by his wife and his three children and the thoughts of so many who loved him.
Kirby was born on August 27, 1953 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Kirby Bernard Sr. and Shirley May. He has an older sister, Kathryn, and three younger siblings: Merrick, Tricia and Jerilyn. He spent his younger years in Louisiana before moving to California in 1955. He attended Hughes Junior High and Long Beach Jordan High School and began working for his dad at Heath Machine, Inc. in 1967, where he found his passion in aerospace machining. He ultimately purchased "the shop" in 1977 and continued to operate it until he sold the business in January 2012.
Kirby married Cindi Lokey on July 8, 1978 and over the years, they lived in Long Beach, Placentia, and Yorba Linda, CA. Together they had three children – Lauren Marie, Courtney Ann, and Jestine James. Their marriage dissolved, but they remained dear friends to the end of his life.
On November 21, 2009, Kirby married Miriam Deojuan. During their 10 years of marriage, they worked together, they traveled together, and they made many wonderful memories. Miriam was a great companion and wife to Kirby and will carry his love with her always.
Kirby loved to be outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter. Some of his favorite places to be were on his ranch in Montana and on his lake property in Louisiana. He also loved to travel, and had traveled to Alaska, Argentina, Canada and Europe. No one was a stranger to Kirby, as he loved to meet new people, enjoy local food and, of course, ALL the drinks.
One thing that always bothered Kirby was that he did not graduate from high school. As a testament to his tenacity to always strive for more and to never give up on your dreams, no matter how late in life, he enrolled in Paramount Adult School and received his high school diploma equivalent in 2006, which was one of his proudest personal achievements and a source of great encouragement to his friends and family. Kirby was also extremely thankful to be able to own a business that provided for the families of those who worked for it. He will always be remembered for his generosity to people and causes across all walks of life, and especially so for his uninhibited love of his family.
Kirby is survived by Miriam Deojuan-LaCaze of Placentia, CA, Steven and Lauren Wetzel of Placentia, CA, Sean and Courtney Adams of El Dorado Hills, CA, Jestine and Rochelle LaCaze of Yorba Linda, CA, his five grandchildren –Gavin Wetzel, Chase Wetzel, Bryson Adams, Tynan Adams, and Scarlette Wetzel, his father and stepmother, Kirby Sr. and Miriam LaCaze of Shreveport, LA, his siblings Merrick LaCaze, Tricia Saul, Jerilyn Dhonau, and his nephews and nieces – Jim Holechek, Robert Brady, Shailey Dhonau, and Chance Dhonau. Kirby is predeceased by his mother Shirley Saul and his sister Kathryn Ainsworth.
Funeral services for Kirby will be at Forest Lawn Long Beach. There will be visitation on July 31, 2019 from 9:30am -9:00pm and then a private funeral service on August 1, 2019. A Celebration of Life will be held at Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach on Thursday, August 1, 2019 from 3-8pm. All family and friends are encouraged to attend the visitation and Celebration of Life to share their memories and honor Kirby's life.