James Judd Kirk, 92, died on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Azria Health Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine. He was born on May 9, 1931, in Dunlap, to Carl and Hazel (Judd) Kirk. He grew up in Dunlap and graduated from Dunlap High School in 1948. Jim went on to attend Iowa State University. He was drafted into the United States Army and served during the Korean War. Jim was married to Shirley Baker on Dec. 30, 1951, at the Methodist Church in Dunlap. He started farming in 1955, and farmed until 1961, which is when he started his career with Case-IH. The couple lived in Dunlap until 1967, and then because of Jim’s job the family moved to various locations over the next 22 years. These moves took them to Grand Island, Neb., Omaha, Neb., Mt. Pleasant, Fort Dodge, Minneapolis, Minn., Ames, Carroll and several other places. On March 1, 1989, Jim retired from Case-IH and he and Shirley moved back home to Dunlap in 1991.
Jim was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church. He also served as a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Lions Club. The couple enjoyed spending time at their summer cottage on Lake Okoboji and winters in Arizona where they had a condo for a while until they purchased a house on the golf course. They grew many wonderful friendships there. Even with all the traveling, being closer to the children, grandchildren and friends in Dunlap is where Jim wanted to be.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Ruth Ann Casperson and Nancy Kirk. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Kirk of Dunlap; children, Bill Kirk and his wife Linda and Kathy and her husband Harold Melby all of Dunlap and Shelly and her husband Lee Whitmer of Boone; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
A funeral service was held on Friday, March 15, 2024, at United Methodist Church in Dunlap. Pastor Aaron Terwilleger presided over the service. The musicians were Deb Garrett and Judd Kirk. The musical selections were “Hallelujah”, “Never Walk Alone”, and congregational hymns, “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Amazing Grace”. The honorary pallbearers were Sarah Mahoney, Angelene Metcalf, and Victoria Lowery. The pallbearers were Chad Nelson, Christopher DeKovic, Sean Mahoney, Kirk Whitmer, Jimmy Kirk and Sheldon Whitmer. Military honors were performed by Dunlap American Legion Post #224. Jim’s final resting place is at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Fouts Funeral Home in Dunlap was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
