Obit: Kirk, James A. "Lucky" (1934 - 2007)

Contact: Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Kirk, Rudd, Meier, Abbott, Wright, Reader, Garbisch, Everson, Dean

----Sources: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Kirk, James A. "Lucky" (5 Feb. 1934 - 5 Oct. 2007)

James A. Kirk

GRANTON -- James A. "Lucky" Kirk, 73, of Soldotna, Alaska, died Friday, Oct. 5, 2007, at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007, at United Methodist Church in Granton.

He was born Feb. 5, 1934, in Emerald, the son of Laurence C. and Mabel (Rudd) Kirk. He received his education in Marathon and Granton. He was an electrician and musician who played both guitar and trumpet. He moved to Alaska in 1984 and lived in Soldotna. He retired from being an electrician in the late 1980s.

"Lucky" was a member of the Soldotna Church of God. He did volunteer work whenever volunteers were needed. He also played holiday music for the Salvation Army during the holiday season for their charity drives.

He enjoyed playing music and performed at many places throughout the area. He received the 1997 Alaska Songwriter of the Year Award for his song, "Derby Ticket," and he played his own "Saturday Night Live" each Saturday evening for the residents at Heritage Place for about six years. He also enjoyed fishing, camping and playing on his computer.

"Lucky" never met a stranger and was loved by all who knew him. He helped inspire several young musicians in their career. During his career as a musician, he had many tapes and CDs sold that have spanned the globe, his family said.

He was preceded in death by his parents, L.C. and Mabel Kirk; and by a grandson, Jason Meier.

He is survived by his special companion, Lou Abbott of Soldotna; three daughters, Pamela Wright of N. Bonneville, Wash., Toni (James) Meier of Prescott and Kim Reader of Nampa, Idaho; one son, Jeffrey (Cathy) Kirk of Spirit Lake, Idaho; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; a sister, Marjorie Garbisch of Granton; a twin brother, Joseph Kirk of Paynesville, Minn., and another brother, Noel Kirk of Richmond, Minn.; a step-sister, Delores Everson of Decorah, Iowa; and extended family members, Larry and Margie Dean of Nikiski, Alaska.

Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 1057 W. Fireweed Lane, Suite 204, Anchorage, AK 99503; or Ministry Home Care, 611 St. Joseph Ave., Marshfield, WI 54449.