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Obituary for Cleo F. Kirkland
Cleo F. “Kirk” Kirkland Dec. 25, 1910 – Jan. 2, 2010 Cleo F. “Kirk” Kirkland passed away at his home in Brookings on Saturday, January 2, 2010. He was 99. Kirk was born on December 25, 1910 in Henderson, Ark. to William and Claudia (Estes) Kirkland. He grew up and attended school there. Kirk married Grace Lankford on November 11, 1929; the couple then moved to Missouri. While there, Kirk drove truck for Springfield Grocery before he and Grace opened a restaurant in Lebanon, MO. During WWII, Kirk also drove a troop transport bus to Fort Leonard Wood. They lived in Tulsa, OK, where he drove bus for Santa Fe Trailways, before moving west to California. He and Grace opened a restaurant in San Pedro, CA. They later moved to Wilmington, CA where Kirk worked in security for Texaco until retirement. He and Grace then became full time RVers until permanently settling in Brookings 32 years ago. He enjoyed fishing and owned his own fishing boat. Kirk also loved to read his Bible and enjoyed hunting in his younger years. He was a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include his wife of 80 years, Grace of Brookings, daughter, Norma Jean Shaw of Kettle Falls, WA, sons, Bob Kirkland of Brookings and Darrell Kirkland and his wife, Barbara of Indianapolis, IN, brother, Earl Kirkland of Wichita, KS, eleven grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and thirteen great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Kirk was preceded in death by son-in-law, Albert Shaw, daughter-in-law, Karen Kirkland, and his brothers, Albert and Grover Kirkland. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Curry County Hospice, PO Box 382, Gold Beach, OR 97444. Condolences may be left online at www.redwoodmemorial.net.
