Joseph Kirk Obituary

Joseph Lowell Kirk passed away on October 4, 2023. He was a resident of the Ben Atchley Veterans Home at the time of his passing, where he was revered with a flag ceremony and a Walk of Honor upon his final exit from the building. Lowell loved to tell anyone who would listen that he "had the perfect life, and the perfect wife," and that his life worked out just the way he had planned, except that he never expected to live to be 81 years old. Born on Halloween Day in 1941 on The Kirk Farm in Jefferson County, Tennessee, he helped to work on the farm while attending Mount Horeb School and Jefferson City High, where he enjoyed an undefeated football season in 1957 as a fullback and a linebacker. After graduating in 1959, he worked in the Magnavox Factory, before joining the Air Force in 1961, where he specialized in maintaining the guns and the electronic firing system of the B-47 aircraft. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962, Lowell was stationed at the Little Rock Air Force Base, preparing the planes for a war that seemed very likely to begin at any moment. He was honorably discharged in 1964. Graduating from Carson -Newman College in 1967, he then enrolled in The University of Alabama on a full scholarship and received a Masters Degree in History in 1969. The real prize he found at the university was the chance to meet the brilliant and quick-witted Nancy Horn, whom he married on August 15, 1969. Lowell made sure everyone knew how proud he was of their three children. He was incredibly generous and joyous with any children who crossed his path, and later in life developed an affinity for spoiling the family dogs. He continued with some post-graduate hours at the University of Tennessee, and spent most of his adult life in Madisonville, Tennessee, living on the serene banks of Bat Creek, where he spent countless hours outside from sunrise until sunset working in the gardens, mowing, and digging up arrowheads for his impressive collection. An unbelievably avid gardener, Lowell would often surprise friends by showing up with a hearty hello and a basket of fresh vegetables or a vase of homegrown flowers. Mr. Kirk impacted the lives of thousands of students during his 32 -year tenure as a professor at Hiwassee College, where he brought History to life in the classroom with unforgettable dramatic flair. He performed in musicals and dramas and was a talented guitar player and singer. In 1995, Hiwassee partnered with a college overseas, and Lowell spent a year living in Japan, where he taught conversational English at Tokyo Polytechnic University. Beyond his professional life, Lowell was a volunteer youth football coach and worked with disadvantaged children through the Head Start Program. He gave many presentations for the East Tennessee Historical Society, who honored him with an Award of Excellence. Devastated by the sudden passing of Nancy Kirk on Halloween Day (his birthday) of 2018, somehow Lowell soldiered on without her. He continued to make new friends wherever he went, and each and every one of them knew all about Nancy Kirk, and how wonderful she had been. Lowell's unconditional love for his family and his passionate spirit will be remembered by all who knew him. He was loved very much by every community where he lived as a gentleman, a scholar, and a genuine man with kindness and integrity. Lowell was preceded in death by his mother, Bonnie Gay Gardner, his father, Joseph Elvis Kirk, his brothers Benny and Don Kirk (Jacque), his wife, Nancy Kirk and in-laws Lewey and Gayle Horn. He is survived by his sister Barbara Kirk, his brother Kenny Kirk, his three children, Liddell Kirk, Camille Kirk (Dom Orlando), and Denia Kirk (Darin Starr), his two granddaughters, Gianna and Adalyn Orlando, many nieces and nephews (Cyd, Kelly, Donnie, Jason, Jackie, Sara, Hannah, Callie, Matt, Joy, Hope, Manly, Joseph, Faith), In-laws (Randy and Sue Horn, Pam and Jimmy Finn), and his "Pretend Grandchildren": Anna, Cooper, and Storm. The family wishes to express their profound gratitude for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time, and they invite you to share stories and memories of Lowell. Services will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at Biereley Hale Funeral Home, 4650 Hwy. 411, Madisonville, TN 37354. Receiving of friends: 2-4 PM. Military Honors: 4 PM provided by the U. S. Air Force, Sweetwater V. F. W. Gold Star Post 5156 and American Legion Post 106 followed by a memorial service immediately after the honors. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Second Harvest Food for Kids, the Monroe County Volunteer Rescue Squad, Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands, or the Monroe County Friends of Animals. . A private interment ceremony will be held at a later date at Lebanon Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Jefferson City. Arrangements by Biereley-Hale Funeral Home, Madisonville.