William Michael Kirk
Surrounded by loved ones, William Michael Kirk (Mike), age 82, passed away July 22nd, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born on March 02, 1941, in Bonham, Texas. He graduated Denison High School in 1959 where he was a member of the football team. After high school, Mike earned his degree in business from the University of North Texas.
In January of 1962, Mike wed Mary Janice Emory (Jan) in Sherman, Texas. Mike began his career at Varo and went on to work at several engineering and manufacturing companies including Ling-Temco-Vought and E-Systems. In 1976, Mike moved his family to Saudi Arabia to work for Aramco where they would reside for the next 10 years. He loved his time at Aramco and enjoyed the many interesting friends and experiences living overseas provided for him and his family. After returning to the States, Mike finished his working years in semi-retirement at the Kroger Corporation.
Throughout all his life, Mike considered his greatest achievement was that of the role of father and grandfather. Over a 30-year span, through both domestic and international adoptions, he and his wife adopted 4 children of varying cultural and ethnic backgrounds in addition to fostering a large number of children. Mike is survived by his wife, Mary Janice Emory, their daughters, Michele and Mary, sons Keith, Michael and his partner, Travis Langley, and Pablo and his wife Samantha Herrera Kirk; four grandchildren, Caleb, Isaiah, Bennett, and Conner. Also surviving are his close foster daughter, Alice, and her husband, Joe Boulware.