Obituary: Hal Reese Kirk

Hal Reese Kirk, a deacon and Bible study leader, died May 9 in Plano. He was 86. He was born Nov. 27, 1938, in Fillmore, Ill., to Hal Curtis Kirk and Wilda Marie Kirk, as the eldest of five children. A gifted athlete, he played football and basketball at Nokomis High School, where he started on varsity basketball beginning his sophomore year. He began college at Bradley University but took a brief detour after spending more time on the basketball court than in the classroom. Later, he returned to graduate with a degree in civil engineering. He held a variety of jobs, ranging from working in a ski shop to driving bulldozers at Caterpillar’s proving grounds. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and worked for the Illinois Highway Department before beginning a long and successful career at GTE (later Verizon). His career took him from Normal, Ill., to San Angelo, and finally to Carrollton, where he worked until his retirement in 2000. While in Illinois, he and his wife Joyce helped plant College Avenue Baptist Church in Normal, where he served as a deacon, occasionally filled in as a preacher, and led Bible studies. At First Baptist Church in Carrollton, he continued his ministry through teaching, serving as a deacon, delivering Meals on Wheels, and lending a hand to widows and others in need. Later at Stonebriar Community Church, the Kirks found joy in serving both their local community and people across the world. In retirement, his greatest joy came from supporting his grandchildren, offering his faithful and loving presence at their basketball, tennis, volleyball and soccer games; track meets; band and children’s choir concerts; piano recitals; ballet performances; cheer competitions; and school plays. He is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years Joyce Marie Kirk; daughter Rachelle Crawford and husband John; son Brent Kirk and wife Mindy; beloved grandchildren; sisters Dana Hoffman, Mary Herren and Debbie Hanabarger; and brother Myron Kirk.