HAROLD G. KIRK
Harold G. Kirk, retired U.S. Air Force, 91, of Sumter, passed away on Dec. 29, 2016, two days shy of his 92nd birthday, at Palmetto Health Tuomey.
He was born a second son, on the very last day of 1924, in Glencoe, Minnesota, and entered a world on the verge of massive changes. In the nearly 92 years of his life, he was destined to see many of these changes firsthand and even participated in many.
Shortly after his birth and the birth of his youngest brother, Alvin, his family moved to St. Louis, Missouri. The year 1929 ushered in the era of the Great Depression and the Roaring Twenties came to a screeching halt. Life was a struggle; the times were hard and these events took their toll. His parents divorced but there was a silver lining when his mother, Blanche, met and married Cecil C. Kirk, the man Harold would call his father for the rest of his life.
Growing up during the Depression was difficult but in those challenges Harold learned many important life lessons; many of these as he rose through the ranks of the Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He also learned the importance of hard work, commitment, frugality, charity and compassion and that everything and everyone had worth.
Soon after the United States entered World War II Harold graduated from high school. In July of 1943, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Army. Harold served as a crew member on a M-10 tank destroyer and participated in the liberation of Europe during 1944 to 1945. During the harsh winter of that time period, he also learned another lesson that stayed with him throughout his life ... he did not like snow or cold weather. Interestingly, his family represented all branches of the military during this war. His father served in the U.S. Marine Corps, his older brother, Jack, in the Army Air Corps and his younger brother, Alvin, in the U.S. Navy. Everyone became members of the Greatest Generation.
With the German surrender, he became part of the Army of Occupation until March 1946, when he returned home and was discharged from the Army. Like most returning from the war, he looked forward to the opportunity of realizing his full potential and living the American Dream. He met his wife, Barbara, and they married in March 1947. They had their first child, Linda, in 1948. His dream was becoming reality.
When the Korean Conflict began, Harold once again answered his country's call. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and would continue this service for the next 26 years.
The constant moving with the Air Force found him in Roswell, New Mexico, in 1954, where his second daughter, Karen, was born and in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1955, where his son, Mark, was born. In 1956, the family moved to Japan and returned to the United States in 1960. This return would be to Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter, and would be the place he called home for the majority of his life. He would serve tours at Clark Air Force Base, Philippines; F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, Wyoming; and at the age of 45, his third war at Phu Cat, Vietnam.
On April 30, 1976, he retired from the USAF and began the pursuit of a goal he had since high school. He earned his bachelor's degree and then his master's degree in public administration. Another goal took more time ... he wanted to fly. At the age of 60, he began flying lessons and eventually soloed.
Harold and Barbara enjoyed retirement and used their time to travel and see the world together. Their trips took them to several European countries, China, Turkey, Israel and the Middle East, and numerous areas of the United States. In 1997, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. In 2005, Harold lost Barbara to leukemia. His certainty that she was in a better place and his faith in God guided him through this painful experience.
On Dec. 29, 2016, Harold was reunited with his wife, Barbara, and the Greatest Generation lost another member. His passing will be mourned by those he left behind. His life, however, will be celebrated for the love he had for God, his family and friends, and the service he gave to his country and community through nearly 30 years of active military duty and more than 70 years as a member of the American Legion. He was a true American patriot, a loving husband, a caring father and a true friend. There is now an empty spot in the world.
He is survived by his daughters, Linda Kirk Parker (Larry) of Summerton and Karen K. Schultz (Mark) of Charleston; his son, Mark A. Kirk (Lorri Poss) of Valparaiso, Indiana; his "adopted" children, David and Earleen Sylvia of Suffolk, Virginia; grandchildren, Maureen Waldrop-Elam (Justin), Ashleigh Shivers Johnson, Craig Schultz (Paige) and Kyle Schultz; great-grandchildren, Whitney Elam, Bryce Elam, Hanna Parker Johnson, Kirkley Johnson, Campbell Johnson and Luke Schultz; one brother, Alvin Kirk of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel, Sumter. A private interment will be held later.
The family will meet friends at 10:30 a.m. at Bullock Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations to the Parker Miracle House Foundation, 2322 Gingko Drive, Sumter, SC 29150; St. Lukes Lutheran Church, 206 Central Ave., Summerville, SC 29483; or a charity of your choice.
You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family's guest book.
The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.