Norman Dale Kirkland

Mr. Kirkland was born May 29, 1927 in the Shawnee Switch Community near Huntington to the late Janie (Collins) and Ed Kirkland. He passed away Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at his residence.

Mr. Kirkland was a lifelong resident of the Swawnee Switch Community. He was married to the late Sue Jean (Bonner) Kirkland on February 16, 1954. He was a merchant seaman, Sargent in the Infantry, USAR during the Korean Conflict and received the Purple Heart following a combat injury and was honorably discharged in 1959. Upon returning to Texas, Mr. Kirkland worked for Southern Pacific Transport in Lufkin and Tyler, Texas and retired in 1982 to relax as a farmer, cattle rancher, commercial hay baler, sawmill operator and liquid feed proprietor until his death on October 25, 2016. Mr. Kirkland was a lifelong and faithful Missionary Baptist, had been a member of the Ozias Missionary Baptist Church and a current member of the Highway Baptist Church in Huntington, Texas.

Survivors include his son, James Dale Kirkland of Huntington; sister, Iva Joyce Crocker of Arlington; sister-in-law, Minnie Lee Kirkland of Shawnee Switch; brother-in-law and his wife, Johnny and Wanda Bonner; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Simms of Central and Florine Bonner of Spring; and a number of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends, too many to count.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Kirkland was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Sue Jean (Bonner) Kirkland; sister, Billie (Kirkland) McMullen; brother, Tommy L. Kirkland; brothers-in-law, Paul R. Bonner, Jack H. Bonner and George Crocker; and sister-in-law, Elaine Bonner.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Bonner, Billy Kirkland, Lamar Sheffield, Andy Spivey, Ben Wilroy and Rex Womack.

Honorary pallbearers will be Edward L. Kirkland and Joe David Wilroy.

Mr. Kirkland’s family wishes to extend special thanks to Heart to Heart Hospice and his nurse Jennifer for the loving care they gave to Curley.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Kirkland’s memory may be made to Highway Baptist Church, P. O. Box 866, Huntington, TX 75949. www.highwaymbc.com

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday evening at Highway Baptist Church, 212 S. Main street, Huntington, Texas.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.