Barbara Jean Kirkland

Barbara Jean Kirkland of Deer Park, TX passed away on January 19, 2023, shortly after her 75th birthday. Growing up in Pasadena and graduating from Deer Park High School, she then enjoyed a long, successful career with NASA’s Johnson Space Center, working there from 1966 to retirement in 2008. Barbara was respected and appreciated far and wide by her peers for her broad ingenuity and work ethic, always willing to go the extra mile.

A lifelong problem solver, she was happiest when finding solutions to problems for friends and family or when she could find the perfect gift to brighten others’ days. That same joy extended to her love for her family. She was an extremely involved mother and grandmother and thrived in being actively involved in her grandchildren’s lives, whether from volunteering at her oldest granddaughter’s elementary school to spoiling them by taking them for a weekend to explore different places or indulging them with a shopping trip. She was also a proud and avid animal lover and will be missed by all of her furry friends.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents George and Goldie, and older sister Darlene. She is survived by her husband Rick, her daughter Blair, son-in-law Nick, grandchildren Aidan, Harrison and Shelby, sister Patricia, and Patricia’s family, and brother-in-law KO.

No service is planned at this time.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grandviewfunerals.com for the Kirkland family.