Paul Anthony Kirk

P.A. lived a life of adventure and passionate pursuits that were tempered only by the love he shared with his wife, his sons, and all the members of his large, close-knit family.

Born in Jacksonville, FL, P.A. grew up in Raleigh, NC as the second child of Kathryn “Boots” and Charles Dayton Kirk. He began asserting his independence at an early age, sneaking away from the sandbox in the backyard, climbing up onto the cabinets of his preschool, and running off with the family’s pots and pans so that he could prepare imaginary culinary delights in his bedroom.

P.A.’s early years were shaped, in large part, by his beloved Mimi and Didi, the grandparents with whom he shared a special bond. It was his grandfather who instilled in P.A. a passion for sports and, with Didi’s encouragement, he excelled in a wide variety of athletic endeavors, including soccer, baseball, tennis, lacrosse, swimming, and later surfing, boating, skiing, and scuba diving. Mimi, on the other hand, taught P.A. the joys of baking. He then as an adult, loved teaching his boys how to bake, especially Mimi’s favorites, lemon squares and gingerbread cookies.

Growing up, P.A. had a close relationship with his older sister, Dayna, his younger brother, Christopher, and his lifelong best friend, Scott Gilleland. He played on a variety of competitive soccer and lacrosse teams and was a first chair saxophonist in both his middle school and high school. A top student, P.A. regularly achieved Dean’s List status and even attained a perfect score on the Math SAT.

While attending North Carolina State University, P.A.’s love of surfing led him to apply to a student exchange program at the University of Hawaii, Manoa. Once there, he was hooked and enjoyed a lifestyle filled with friends, classes, a variety of odd jobs, and, of course, surfing. Interviewed for a local paper about his decision to transfer from North Carolina, P.A. said that surfing had become an important part of his academic success, explaining that the rush of adrenaline he felt after catching a “steep wave” made him a better student and gave him the energy for long nights studying in the library.

After graduating with a BA in Finance, P.A. spent several years in Hawaii before returning to the mainland to pursue career opportunities in Los Angeles and later in Boston, where he had the pleasure of meeting Tom Brady at a Superbowl party held at a restaurant where he worked. He became a lifelong Tom Brady fan, from his days with the New England Patriots to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In 2000, P.A. returned to North Carolina to work with his mother and brother in opening Kirk Imports Furniture. Through his hard work and dedication, Kirk Imports became one of the most successful furniture stores in Raleigh. The high quality furniture was a mix of Indonesian-inspired items with pieces designed by local craftsmen. P.A. traveled to Bali, a destination he came to love, to find great pieces for the store as well as great places to surf. Over the years, the store grew in popularity and even gained fame as a furniture supplier for home makeovers featured on the hit HGTV program Love It or List It.

P.A. had a way of engaging customers with his fun and cheerful personality. Kirk Imports was a place people returned to time and again, often just to visit with the family.

In 2002, while sitting in a cafe, P.A. overheard a conversation that would change his life. A young woman sitting nearby was telling her father of her plans to go to Hawaii. Never one to be shy, PA immediately introduced himself and explained that he could tell her everything she needed to know about the islands. Tamara, who would become his wife three years later, recalled, “It really was love at first sight. He stole my heart. We just fit together.” P.A. completely agreed, telling family members that he was “the luckiest man alive” after meeting Tamara.

The two of them shared a devotion to travel and adventure, and spent time skiing at various mountains and snorkeling and scuba diving in the Caribbean. After a few years, they decided to settle down to focus on their careers and start a family, welcoming their sons, Jude in 2008 and Jacob in 2010. However, P.A.’s work at Kirk Imports and Tamara’s work as a physical therapist at Duke University did not keep them from sharing their love of the outdoors with their boys, who grew up skiing, surfing, fishing, boating, and spending unforgettable times together as a family.

Throughout his life, two of P.A.’s favorite places were Sugar Mountain and Topsail Beach. From the time he was a little boy, P.A. was drawn to the slopes at Sugar Mountain. Boots taught all her children to ski at an early age and for years, P.A. spent practically every winter weekend racing down the mountain with his cousin, Michael Kirk. The two boys were great friends who grew up together and continued the skiing tradition into their adult years with their wives and children.

Summers, on the other hand, were spent at Topsail Beach where P.A. had many different jobs. He worked on the fishing pier as well as local restaurants, and was also a first mate on a deep-sea fishing charter boat. Topsail Beach was P.A.’s second home and the place where he made many amazing, lifelong friends. He eventually brought Tamara, Jude and Jacob where the four of them created wonderful memories with their extended family.

P.A. was known to be as fearless as he was adventurous. In 2001, he accompanied his uncle, National Geographic photographer Bob Caputo, on a photo shoot in Kenya. Riding in their open-air jeep, they spotted a beautiful female lion off in the distance. Bob turned off the jeep and picked up his camera. But apparently, the lion had no interest in having her photo taken. Instead, she turned and began to charge toward the two of them. Bob turned the ignition to get them out of there, but the jeep would not start.

Finally, with the lion only yards away from pouncing and likely mauling the two of them, Bob was able to get the jeep started. As he hit the gas and they sped away with no time to spare, PA casually turned to his uncle and said, “Well, did you get the shot?”

P.A. was diagnosed with cancer 21 months ago. He spent his final months under the loving care of his entire family, particularly his wife, Tamara and his mother, Boots.

P.A. is survived by his wife, Tamara Klintworth Kirk and their sons, Jude and Jacob. He is also survived by his mother, Kathryn “Boots” Kirk; his father, Charles Dayton Kirk (Pam); his sister Dayna (John) Corcoran; his brother, Christopher Kirk; nephews and niece,Connor, Quinn, and Kyra Corcoran; his uncle, Robert (Amy) Caputo; his uncle, William (Alice) Kirk; his uncle, Jerry Kirk; and many cousins. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Mary “Mimi” and Anthony “Didi” Caputo, and Shirley and John Paul Kirk.

A Celebration of P.A.'s Life was held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 2:00pm in the Chapel of Mitchell Funeral Home. To watch his service, please use the link below, under 'Donations'.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of P. A., or a message of condolence for his family, you may do so below, within 'Add a Memory'.