James Franklin Kirk

Our country lost another member of its Greatest Generation with the passing of James Franklin Kirk, 90, at his home in New London on November 17, 2016. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 26, at 11:30AM at Gold Hill United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Beverly Mauldin and the Rev. Billy Irvin officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:15 prior to the service in the downstairs fellowship hall of the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Gold Hill United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 52, Gold Hill, NC 28071 Known as Jim or Jimmie by most everyone, he was born March 11, 1926 in Gold Hill, NC.? He was the son of the late Rev. Thomas Franklin Kirk and Edna Jenkins Kirk. He graduated from Rockwell High School, Pfeiffer Junior College, and attended Louisiana Tech University. He retired from Alcoa as the Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor after 35 years with the company. He was a member of Gold Hill United Methodist Church, the Marine Corps League of Stanly County, and the DAV. Jim was a veteran of World War II and, at the age of 18, was among the First Battalion of the 28th Marines as they hit the beach of Iwo Jima during the first landing party. Ten days into the battle, he was wounded and received a Purple Heart. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Glenna Collett Kirk of the home. Other survivors include one son, Ronald James Kirk of New London, one daughter, Sandra Lee Kirk and husband Ed Griffin of New London, two grandchildren, Margaret Ann Kirk, James Andrew McPherson and wife Michelle, six great-grandchildren, Liliana, Annabelle, Olivia, Jacob, and Joseph McPherson, Karlie Griffin, and one granddaughter-in-law Deborah McPherson. He is also survived by his lifelong friends, John and Patsy Yelton of Gold Hill. Mr. Kirk was preceded in death by one sister, Laura Frances Isenhour, and one grandson, Joseph Patterson McPherson. The family would like to thank the Veteran's Administration, Hospice of Stanly and the Uwharrie, and care-giver Kathy Iuliano for their services to Jim and his family during the past two years. Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care is serving the Kirk family.

James Franklin Kirk

November 21, 2016