John was born in Valdosta, GA to Samuel Otto and Clarice Annette (nee Rodgers) Kirkland. He was one of six children born to that union. His family moved several times before settling in Jacksonville, FL where he grew up.
At the age of sixteen, John lied about his age and joined the Army National Guard. Upon learning that he
would be sent to Korea as a medic, John proceeded to ask for a gun. When he found out he would not be
issued a weapon, John quit the service and informed his superiors he was a minor. One year later, his
father went with him to the Naval Recruiting Office and enlisted him. The navy didn’t issue
John a weapon either. He served four years on the aircraft carrier The Bon Homme Richard, and saw
such exotic locations as Honolulu, HI and Subic Bay, Philippines.
Upon his discharge from the navy, John returned home where he worked driving a truck for R C Cola. This turned into a dead-end life so he returned to the military where he enlisted in the U S Air Force. He was stationed in Amarillo, Texas where he met the love of his life, Laura Pearl Smith. They married in 1957. Throughout their marriage, the couple was stationed in various locations, from the Philippine Islands, to Buzzards Bay, MA to Roswell, NM. Their union produced five children: David Lee, Judy Ann, Teresa Joyce, John Michael and their favorite, Scott Wayne.
Following his retirement at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, TX, John became the owner of John’s Tin Shop. Later he served as a greeter at Walmart. He was a faithful member and deacon at Harvest Baptist Church.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Laura, of 56 years; his daughter Judy; sisters, Joyce Arthur and
Connie Saucerman; three brothers: Thomas Carol, Willie Floyd and Samuel Otto Kirkland, Jr., and his parents.
John Kirkland passed from this life on Tuesday, August 7th while fishing with his best friend, Duane Phillips. Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Saturday, August 11, 2018 in the Elliott-Hamil Chapel of Faith, 5701 Hwy 277 South, with burial following in Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends for a visitation from 12 to 2pm, prior to the service.
He is survived by his children: David and wife Teresa of Wichita Falls, Teresa Kelderhouse and husband Don of Urbana, MO, John and wife Julie of Nairobi Kenya, and Scott and wife Shelly of Big Spring; ten grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and one sister, Alwyn Gray of Jacksonville, FL..John, himself, survived Blackie Rawles.
The family requests, that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Harvest Baptist Church Missions
Program, 1389 Vine St. Abilene, TX 79602.
