Edward Roscoe Kirk

In 1950, swimming the Individual Medley, Ed became the first African American Illinois State Swim Champion. Well known as Coach Ed, his coaching career began leading the DuSable High School Swim Team as Captain. Voted the first African American All American Swimmer, he received a full scholarship to Tennessee State A and I University to be on their Swim Team where he competed for three years. In 1957 he was one of four swimmers on the team representing the U.S. Armed Forces in an international meet in Lamur, Belgium where he swam 3.1 kilometers in the Muse River. Ed swam a number of two mile races in Lake Michigan, and a ten mile swim to qualify for the 1962 Jim Moran Lake Michigan Swim. Attempting to swim 36.75 miles to Waukegan, Illinois, he swam over 25 miles in 16 hours before his arms gave out. Ed competed in Masters Swim Meets for many years. Before moving to the Florida, he retired from the U.S. Postal Service and Chicago Park District where he was a Natatorium Instructor. As such he supervised a swimming pool, taught swimming, coached both swimming and water polo teams, put on water shows, and taught Lifeguarding. During summers he was sometimes Captain Kirk on a Chicago beach. In Florida he coached at Brandon Swim and Tennis Club, now BSAC; Athletic Club of Temple Terrace; River Hills; and for two high school teams, Brandon and Armwood.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Esther; children, Edward Jr., Alden, Loana, Ivan, Catherine, and Erin; sisters, Beatrice(Turner), Annabelle (Candis); six grandchildren; four great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews and cousins as well as many swimmers, fellow coaches, and friends in the Tampa area and in Chicago. Ed was preceded in death by his son, Wyatt; brother, Wyatt; and sister, Clarice (Jones).

In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcome to the Brandon Sports and Aquatics Center, a 501c3 organization, where Ed taught and coached many people https://clear-give.com/egive3/index.cfm?page=donate. Coach Ed will be in our hearts and memories forever.

A celebration of life in Florida will be held 7 p.m. Friday, April 27, 2018 at Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center, 405 Beverly Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511. A celebration of life in Chicago will be held 3 p.m. May 5, 2018 at New Life Covenant Church Southwest, 4338 South Prairie Ave., Chicago, IL 60653.