SERVICE INFORMATION: Dear Family & Friends. As we will be celebrating Jackie at the National Memorial Cemetery it is advised that you all arrive, AT LEAST, 30 minutes early. There is a Visitor Center at the end of the driveway where you can wait. YOU MUST be at the shelter at exactly 9:30 to witness the Military Honors (they will not wait). It will be 1/2 hour only.
Jackie grew up in Kansas where he attended school and graduated from Sumner High School in 1965. After graduating Jackie joined the US Army where he served his tour.
After he returned home he married his first wife, Carolyn Kirksey and together they had two children. Additionally, he went on with his education at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, where he earned his teaching degree and started his career as a teacher.
Jackie moved to Phoenix, Arizona. This is where he met his second wife, Sandra Garcia and inherited three more children. He grew very close to those children as well.
Jackie was a very serious man. He was an educator and forward thinker. He didn’t joke around. In his early years Jackie loved to have barbeques for his family get-together’s, as he was a very good cook. Jackie had a special place in his heart for music. The oldies 50’s and 60’s Motown was his favorite, but 2 songs that he listened to over and over were “Can’t Believe It” by T-Pain and “Sadie” by the Spinners. Jackie is described as a “Sharp Dresser” and his clothes were always crisp & clean. He was also a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan. When they played he would sit in front of his TV, with his Kansas City Uniform, and root for them. He also liked trips to the Casino’s and watching westerns on TV.
Jackie is survived by his daughter Ellisa Kirksey; his son Braxton Kirksey; his daughter Erica Gonzalez; his daughter Renay A. Gonzalez-Mendoza (Alberto); and his son Pedro L. Gonzalez (Vivian); his sister Glenda Beryl Lawson and his sister Jessie Kirksey; his cat Trouble. Grandchildren Braxton Keith Kirksey Jr, Manny, Mekayla, Monica, Matthew, Breanna, Desiree, Jaelyn and Arthur; Great Grandchildren Luis, Elias, Kai, Zavier, and Alexander.
Jackie was greeted in Heaven by his father Jesse Kirksey and his mother Leila Juanita Reid Kirksey; his wife Sandra Garcia; his dogs Maruka and Jackson.
Jackie will be Honored in a "Military Farewell" at the National Memorial Cemetery located at 2929 East Pinnacle Peak Road in Phoenix, Arizona 85024 on Jackie's birthday, July 17, 2025 from 9:30 to 10:00 am. There is only one entrance of the park off of Pinnacle Peak Road. Once you enter drive straight back. You will see a large screen on the right side of the road and it will tell you what shelter the service will be held. Continue to the end of that road and you will see shelter directions.
