Kirk Anthony Latimer

Kalamazoo, MI

Passed away unexpectedly due to health complications on Wednesday, September 9, 2020, in Kalamazoo, MI.

Kirk was born January 13, 1980, in Detroit, MI, the son of Terry and Donna (Middel) Latimer. In his early years, Kirk studied karate, played baseball, and participated in his high school marching band. He went on to attend Western Michigan University, graduating with a B.A. in English Education in 2002, with post graduate studies in Educational Leadership and Organizational Analysis. He became a graduate of 2010 Leadership Kalamazoo and then continued his education in many specialized training programs including Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) training, Eliminating Racism & Creating/Celebrating Equity (ERACCE) training. Kirk followed his passion and life’s purpose by becoming an educator at Portage Northern High School. In 2006, he joined forces with his business partner, Gabriel Giron, forming the performance duo, Kinetic Affect. In 2009, he became co-founder and Educational Director of Speak it Forward, Inc., where he led workshops for youth in treatment facilities, juvenile homes, and alternative high schools locally and across the country.

Through his work, Kirk impacted hundreds of thousands of lives, feeding people both metaphorically and physically. He was able to intuitively understand young people and strived to make them feel seen and loved. Generous with his time and resources, gifted with insight and rhetoric, he was a master teacher. He inspired students, artists, and audiences alike to be more self-aware and adventurous—to, as he had done and channel their energies into a passion for learning and helping others. He made shocking, funny and spontaneous observations about life as it unfolded, constantly challenging people to step beyond their preconceived notions of what was possible, approaching each workshop, performance, and project as if it were his last. He was an electrifying performer, often leaving audience members riveted to their seats, thrilled and breathless.

Kirk was most proud of being a father. Nothing brought him more joy than spending time with his son, Ethan, who was born on May 24, 2008. For Kirk, Ethan was the greatest blessing in his life. And Ethan loved spending time with his dad and said he was someone anyone would love hanging out with no matter who they were.

Surviving Kirk are his son, Ethan; his first wife, Amy Corbat of Midland, MI; his parents Terry and Donna (Middel) Latimer of Clinton Township, MI; three sisters, Dawn (Tim) Battice of Casco Township, MI, Jeanette (Ken) Mercer of Clarkston, MI, Colleen (Anton) Mursin of Alexandria, Virginia; his second wife, Gretchen Latimer of Kalamazoo, MI; and his best friend and business partner, Gabriel Giron.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2020, 10:00am at St. Matthias Catholic Church in Sterling Heights, MI.

Memorial contributions may be made to Speak it Forward, Inc., 617 Douglas Ave, Suite #1, Kalamazoo, 49007 or through their website www.speakitforwardinc.org.