Frank "Morris" Kirk
April 18, 1925 ~ April 27, 2025
Frank Morris Kirk, of Crockett, Texas, went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on April 27, 2025, shortly after his 100th birthday. Morris was born on April 18, 1925, in Upshur County, Texas to Bartley Lee Kirk and Willie Pearl (York) Kirk. He graduated as the valedictorian of Union Grove High School near Gladewater, Texas in 1943.
Upon graduation Morris was drafted into the United States Army during World War II. He served in the 3rd Infantry division fighting for the Anzio brigade south of Rome. He sustained injuries by enemy artillery in southern France. Morris was awarded the Purple Heart for his military merit. He was proud of his service and loved sharing his experiences and stories with everyone.
After returning from the war, Morris attended the University of Texas obtaining a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1949. He worked for a short time in his hometown of Gladewater, then relocated to Houston where he was employed as a certified public accountant for various companies until he partnered into private practice.
It was in Houston where he met the love of his life, Stella Marie Beavers, a Crockett native. They were married on March 2, 1957. To this union they were blessed with one son. They resided in Houston until retirement.
Retiring in 1997, Morris and Marie moved to Crockett to assist in caring for Marie's mother. Morris never slowed down. He continued to perpetuate the spirit and traditions of military service. He was the editor of the official publication of the Society of the Third Infantry Division known as "The Watch on the Rhine". He was also a life member of the Society of the 30th Infantry Regiment and he was presented the "Footsie" Britt award acknowledging his efforts. He and Marie also travelled extensively with their 3rd-division friends.
Morris was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed coaching his son's youth football and baseball teams and had season tickets to Texas Longhorn football games for many years. Morris loved gardening and took the utmost pride in his yard. You could most assuredly find him in his yard daily until his recent health decline. Morris also loved gospel hymns and made his very own compact discs with collections of his favorites.
Morris was a devoted husband and father, a faithful and generous Christian man, a distinguished WWII veteran, and a true inspiration to all who knew him. His memory will live in our hearts forever.
Morris is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Marie Beavers Kirk of Crockett; son, Ron Kirk of Houston; and his sister, Bettie Lou Warlick of Kilgore.
He is preceded in death by his parents, B.L. and Pearl Kirk; brothers, Eugene Kirk and Jesse Kirk; and his sister, Reba Dovie.
A memorial service with Military Honors to celebrate Morris Kirk's life is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon, on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Good Shepherd Fellowship Church, 401 S. 7th Street in Crockett, with Bro. Leon Wallace officiating the service. Immediately following the service, all are invited to attend a reception in the church fellowship hall.
Morris will be inurned in the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Karla Evans for the enormous amount of generosity and support she had provided to our family over the years; to the numerous neighbors and friends for their invaluable assistance; to the extraordinary private caregivers (Lele, Mary, Ruth, JJ, JW, and Brenda) who lovingly dubbed him as "Poppy"; and the entire staff at Traditions Health Hospice for their excellent care.
Memorial and cremation services for Frank Morris Kirk are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas. Please visit his online memorial tribute at www.rhonefuneralhome.com, where words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.
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It was always a treat seeing Mr. Kirk at the store (H-E-B). He was an inspiration for us all he will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Kirk and Ron.
Mr. Kirk, Morris was truly an amazing man. Veteran, life long husband, father and a very special friend to me. I truly cherished the visits and time I was afforded with him. Though I only knew him a short time; the impact he made and the role model he was will accompany me thru my days.
Mr. Kirk will be greatly missed & always remembered. As one of your caregivers, it was a great honor to take care of you. You were a gentle man always when I worked. You had good days & bad, but I always said, you were a blessed man. I thank God for being able to take care of you & a great honor to serve a Veteran. Continue to rest. 😇 Gone, but never forgotten. Always in my ❤️
What an incredible man Mr Kirk was. An inspiration to so many! Praying for Mrs Kirk, Ron, and the many people that cared for him. May the memories you shared bring you comfort.
Mr. Kirk a true American Hero. My Family appreciates your service, kindness and generosity. Praying for the Kirk Family during this time.
Ruth and I met Morris almost immediately after we retained Marie as my first secretary of the West Memorial Baptist Church. Over the many years that followed, we had constant fellowship with them wonderful son. As the year passed, our friendship was deep enough to continue, even while we served as missionaries overseas. I shall never forget the dozens of times that Morris called me to get my view on a particular passage of scripture or area of theology. These delightful times boned us together in a special way. I know he is enjoying his fellowship with the people of God who have gone before us to be with our precious Lord and Savior, I look forward to greeting him soon for our own lives are about to end as well.
Dr. Ralph W Neighbour Jr
Ruth and I want to share a tribute to our dear friend Morris Kirk. We have known him ever since Mary went to work for me as my secretary at the West Memorial Baptist Church. Through the years, we often had telephone conversations about doctrine issues or interpretation of scripture verses. We treasured his interest in the things of the Lord and I often try to visit with him and Marie when we traveled through their area I know he is rejoicing in the presence of his Lord at this very moment we are looking forward to being with him very soon!
On behalf of my uncle, Paul A. Donlon, Jr., we send our condolences to the wife and family of Morris Kirk. My uncle fought along side Morris in the 3rd Infantry Division starting at Anzio. They became good friends. Like Morris, my uncle was wounded in combat in southern France. I recall my uncle saying that most every May 23rd he’d be in touch with his friend in Crockett, TX. May 23rd being the anniversary of the break through at Anzio.
I will let my uncle know of the passing of his friend and fellow Dog Face Soldier. My uncle turned 100 this past May.