Christopher John Kirk

May 24, 1925 – October 11, 2011

Carmel ~ On Tuesday, October 11, 2011, the final curtain came down for LTC Christopher John Kirk (86) due to a ruptured aortic aneurysm. He has gone to be with his Lord and his wife, Margaret.

Chris was well known on the Monterey Peninsula, and indeed around the world, as a member of the Troupers of the Gold Coast at California’s First Theatre in Monterey. He played many roles as a Trouper including husband, father, bumpkin, henchman, hero, and his favorite (although it was the furthest from his true self) the villain. He was also a favorite Master of Ceremonies for 40 years. Thousands of people will remember Chris for his wonderful rendition of “I’m my own Grandpa”.

Before he and Margaret moved to Carmel, Chris had a very distinguished military career. During his 26 years in the Army, he served in every enlisted rank there was at the time and then got a battlefield commission and served through Lt. Col. His license plate frame says E-1 thru E-7…O-1 thru O-5. Chris received the following decorations and awards: The Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Campaign (WWII), Asiatic Campaign with one Battle Star, WWII Victory Medal, WWII Occupation (Japan), Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 3 Battle Stars, Combat Medical Badge and the Presidential Unit Citation (ROK).

The last two years of his life were spent in the loving and caring hands of the staff at Carmel Hills Care Center. Chris was a favorite of his fellow residents, served as the president of the resident council and was very active in their activities programs. Three days a week you could find him calling the Bingo games and he often led sing-a-longs, keeping his Trouper voice in good shape and making his fellow residents happy. He was just chosen as Resident of the Month for October, 2011 and a very nice article about him appeared in their October Newsletter.

As people began to send remembrances of Chris the word used most often is KIND. And that he was. He was “family” to so many people and we all had to share him but he had so much to give that none of us ever missed out on receiving the blessings he had for us. He was always there when someone needed him. Chris never hesitated to answer a call for assistance. He was happiest when he was helping someone….anyone. And he delighted in other peoples successes. He was truly a gift to all of his friends and family members.

Chris was predeceased by his loving wife, also an Army Veteran, Margaret Cook Kirk, his parents, his sister, Helen, and many in-laws. He is survived by his brother, Ted Hionis and his family, his devoted niece, Sharon Hess, and her family and many more nieces and nephews both on his side of the family and on Margaret’s. He is also survived by his long time good friend Patricia Merivale, his “shepherd” Marabee Boone, his long time buddy Don Wagner and hundreds of friends who loved him dearly including The Troupers of the Gold Coast.

A celebration of his life will be held locally in the near future. Chris’ ashes will be inurned with Margaret’s at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in his honor and memory to the Monterey County SPCA, PO Box 3058, Monterey, 93942 or the donor’s favorite charity.

Arrangements under the direction of The Paul Mortuary, Pacific Grove, CA.