Thank you so much to everyone visiting this page. Mom and I miss Dad so much and would love to have you share your favorite memories of him on this website. This will also allow Mom to have a lasting memorial to revisit. <3
Although it would have been lovely to have an in-person memorial and see everyone, Mom is not well enough to attend.
My lovely partner, Scott O'Neill, had volunteered to be the celebrant and wrote a eulogy I will share here.

Welcome.
Let me first express the family’s gratitude for your presence today. Every person here represents a life that Kirk made an impression on during his time with us. We honor a man who truly touched many lives. This is a place where we can let tears flow and let laughter heal, where we can share stories and begin the process of turning those stories into memories.

I don’t know if there are words to express the mixture of feelings that surrounds each person here. Some of it is Sadness because this amazing, courageous man is no longer here to show us how to deal with adversity, every day, with conviction and a smile. Some is Joy for Kirk, because his long life of living without limitations is now complete and his fight with the terrible disease of dementia has come to an end. Gratefulness that for 80 years on this little blue marble floating in space, this man lived to guide, to teach and to love.

Two quick stories, when Kirk was no longer able to drive a car, I bought his Subaru Outback from him. He had two TCU decals on the back and a parking sticker. Meg gave me some tools to remove them, but after being stopped by a few people in parking lots asking if I went to TCU or taught at TCU, I decided to leave them on. It makes me seem more distinguished than I actually am.

Second story – In 1908, a Billiken Good Luck Pocket Piece was all the rage. Kirk had two most of his adult life and carried them everywhere. Meg would sometimes ask if she could have one, but was always told no. They were his lucky coins.
After we had moved Kirk and Linda into Belmont Village, one day while visiting he pulled me aside into his bedroom. He showed me the two coins from his pocket and pressed one into my palm. I tried to refuse, but he insisted I keep it. Meg and Linda were both overcome by what appeared to be a small gesture, but in reality meant a great deal. I think this was his way of putting trust in me for two of the most special things he ever had: his lucky coin and his daughter. I also think Meg’s tears were equal parts happiness and bitterness since her dad gave me the coin and not her. I said to him, “I know what this means. And I want you to know I’ll carry this with me every day, in my pocket, and use it.” And I still do.

I want to conclude by saying to Meg and Evan, you are now the representatives of your dad’s and Papa’s legacy. He gave you wonderful gifts of kindness, graciousness, strength, acceptance and love. You are his future.

Linda – you and Kirk learned together how to live with challenges and while I’m sure not every moment was easy and not every memory etched in gold, in the final analysis, Kirk gave you every fiber of what he had to offer. And you did the same. You are the ambassador and safe keeper of his love.

To all of you - Be kind and patient with one another and allow each one of your family to experience grief, any grief, in the way that fits them best. Help each other during those difficult times, the holidays, the anniversaries, the birthdays, the times when you will miss people the most.

Washington Irving said “There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love.”

I say, “What is grief, if not love persevering?”