Red Kilby RIP

Billy Murdoch · Post by **Billy Murdoch** » 10 Oct 2011 11:42 am

I was fortuate to have met and spoken to Red each time I was at Dallas.
An extremely nice man.
My condolences to His family
Billy

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 10 Oct 2011 11:43 am

What??! OMG, I can't believe it has come to this! Red! He seemed to be doing so well. Oh, my... I'm gonna miss you my friend. Oh no...

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 10 Oct 2011 11:49 am

Really, really sorry to hear about this.
Vaya con Dios, Red.

Janice Brooks · Post by **Janice Brooks** » 10 Oct 2011 12:21 pm

Cancer takes some great folks. Blessings to Linda and the family.

John Coffman · Post by **John Coffman** » 10 Oct 2011 12:36 pm

Such a great guy and talent we will surely miss you Red. Our prayers to family and friends may God Bless you and keep you.

Mickey Adams · Post by **Mickey Adams** » 10 Oct 2011 1:01 pm

Just yesterday, I took off for Pueblo CO to pick up a Mullen guitar i purchased...Before I left the house i flipped my phone open, and looked up Reds number.
To my dismay, his email was there but I didn't have his phone number. His name came up several times while I was there in CO, but I didn't get in touch with him...This saddens me terribly, as Red was well...he was "one of us"....RIP my friend...So sorry I missed you...

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 10 Oct 2011 1:14 pm

Somebody pinch me please
this is too sudden - i'm at a loss
Red, was good people & a friend
my sincere condolences to his family
Rest in Peace Red - you're w: the Lord now

Jerry Lee Newberry · Post by **Jerry Lee Newberry** » 10 Oct 2011 1:24 pm

Just talked to Red in St. Louis. He looked so good. Thought he was on the mend. So sorry to hear this. Our thought and prayers will be with Linda and the Family.

Donna

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 10 Oct 2011 1:34 pm

My heart is heavy for Red and his family...I didn't expect to read this today. How sad. Red was a great guy...a good friend to us all.

Red, goodbye my friend. Rest in Peace.

JERRY THURMOND · Post by **JERRY THURMOND** » 10 Oct 2011 1:49 pm

This is very sad news.

Jerry

Paul Polish · Post by **Paul Polish** » 10 Oct 2011 1:58 pm

O M G.. What sad news.. He looked good in St Louis.
Our Hearts are heavy today.
May God bless you and your family..
Paul And Dee

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 10 Oct 2011 2:07 pm

Neil F. just called me with the tragic news. Another beloved member of the family has gone home. Red and I shared so much laughter together... I'm really torn up about this.

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 10 Oct 2011 2:18 pm

I just read this and fighting back the tears. I'm so glad Red got to share the stage with me this year in St Louis. I love you Red, rest in peace my friend.
BD What a shock!

Dino Strunk · Post by **Dino Strunk** » 10 Oct 2011 2:33 pm

WOW!!! What a shock!! He looked so good in St Louis!! RIP Red. God bless his family at this time.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 10 Oct 2011 2:42 pm

Although I don't see my steel guitar friends regularly, I still think about them and Red's name has come up more than once. He sure made an impression on me. Classy guy and I will miss him.

Doug Rolfe · Post by **Doug Rolfe** » 10 Oct 2011 2:50 pm

I am struggling with this news as I asked Red come to the gospel show in St. Louis this year to give his testimony about how God was working in his life. I am stunned as I type this. We just never know when God is going to call us home. "Rest in Peace" my friend. Your healing is now complete.

Post by **Joey Ace** » 10 Oct 2011 3:04 pm

What a shock! He was always so positive and friendly.

A few years ago, he got word of a medical procedure my wife was scheduled for, and shared many emails and calls, offering advice and encouragement from someone who had been thru the same.

I'm sure there's many similar stories about this generous soul.

RIP, my friend.

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 10 Oct 2011 3:23 pm

Red seemed very upbeat most of the times we visited in St. Louis this year. We had said our good-byes only a couple of hours before we loaded our car back up to leave. Tommy had to return to the front desk, and I told him I'd just sit in the car and wait for him in front of the hotel. I saw Red talking to Lynn Ownsley's as he was loading up. My heart told me to get out of the car to hug Red one last time. I'm so glad I did.

A few years ago, Red and I decided to disco dance on Tommy's last song of his set Dance With Me - played even faster than he usually plays it. I was out of breath as he twirled me around, and welcomed the phone call he got just before I thought I would pass out. It was Linda calling from the other side of the ballroom looking for him. He told her he was dancing with Donna Dodd during Tommy's set. He told her he loved her and would see her in a couple of minutes. We still laugh about that phone call that saved my life!!

Here's a shot I took of Red in the Mullen Room the night before we left St. Louis. What a wonderful, beautiful soul Red was - and, along with others, he chose to share his life with his steel guitar friends! We are so blessed to have known him and Linda. Our hearts are broken - and our prayers go out for his precious Linda. He called her his ROCK.
We'll miss you, Red!
Donna and Tommy

MARK GILES · Post by **MARK GILES** » 10 Oct 2011 3:48 pm

So sorry to hear about my friend Red. He never gave up and put up a good fight. He loved the steel guitar and those that played it. He was a good guy and will be sorely missed. My sympathies go to Linda and the family. Mark

Louie Hallford · Post by **Louie Hallford** » 10 Oct 2011 3:54 pm

I can,t think of any one who fought the "Big C" with as much courage and faith that he was going to beat it.

When Red was around, seems his friendliness and humor just made the world a better place to live. God bless him in his new home.

We all Love you Red.

Bob Case · Post by **Bob Case** » 10 Oct 2011 4:04 pm

I'll never forget that smile and how much fun he had when he got on stage with a steel guitar player. We will all miss you Red. RIP
Bob & Lisa

Tony Davis · Post by **Tony Davis** » 10 Oct 2011 4:05 pm

What a shock ! Red was a good friend and a fun guy.
One time in Dallas..he grabbed me and said..c'm here...took me upstairs to Ralph Mooneys room where they were practising...even put his cowboy hat on my head while he took my pic with Moon.
I'll miss ya Red
Tony

Neil Flanz · Post by **Neil Flanz** » 10 Oct 2011 4:21 pm

I am shocked and very saddened at the loss of a very dear friend. I can recall how happy he was when he phoned me just prior to the convention and told me that his doctor had given him a clean bill of health and how he had one more chemo session left which he hoped could take place after Saint Louis. As anyone who attended the convention is aware, he not only sang four songs on my set but performed with several others. I received an email from him five days ago saying that he had just called and gotten my voice mail. He indicated that this last round of chemo had caused him to feel real bad but he was concerned about my health. It's hard to believe that he's gone and I'll miss him a lot. My heart and condolences goes out to his entire family.

Neil

Chris Caruso · Post by **Chris Caruso** » 10 Oct 2011 4:37 pm

I met Red along time ago in St Louis. I was playing bass and he was singing. We became instant friends. We had him up to Massachusetts to sing at one of Frank's steel shows. We had a great time. He looked so good when we saw him in St Louis. Who could ever imagine that would be the last time we saw him. Rest in Piece my friend.
Chris and Jessie

Gary Sill · Post by **Gary Sill** » 10 Oct 2011 5:20 pm

I found out today from a call from my second family at Mullen. I did not have any idea this was coming. Mike told me and shock has set in ever since.

It was a sincere pleasure and honor to have Red sing each of the last several years on my set at the ISGC Talent Search.

This year Red sang "I Know One and Stoney was so nice to let Red sing an extra song. Red and I decided it was to be Crystal Chandaliers". He did a wonderful job on both numbers as always.

A true friend has left steel guitar to be with Newman, Hughey,Mooney, Don Helms, and the list is endless all the greats of steel guitar.

A positive friend in my life and it all began years ago in the Fawlaqua room at ISGC.

God Bless you Red and Linda we all love you and prayers for you in this hard to face time.

Thanks for all the good time together---Red and Linda.

Sincerely,

Gary Sill

The Steel Guitar Forum

Red Kilby RIP

Red

Rest in lasting peace my friend---Red