Lewis S. Kirk

A Graveside Inurnment for Lewis S. Kirk, 89, Lawrence, KS will be held 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Lawrence, KS. Lewis passed away March 11, 2025, at his residence in Lawrence. The family will greet friends, 6:00 ~ 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, KS.  Close family and friends are also welcome at Virginia’s residence after the graveyard service March 19^th at 10am for some food and celebration of life. 

Lewis was born on August 16, 1935, in Gower, MO, the son of Lyman and Lee Norah (Lewis) Kirk. He had two siblings Anne (Kirk) Snavely who proceeded him in death and Theo Kirk. 

Lewis married Virginia Curtis on April 13, 1998, in Lawrence, KS, and she survives at home.

Lewis is also survived by his children, Laura (Paul Fellers) Kirk, Paul (Anne) Kirk, Sarah (Tom Hutton) Kirk, stepchildren, Monica (Keith) Heckman, Kevin (Denise) Curtis, Larry (Ruth), Curtis, Michael Curtis (Pat), fifteen grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Lewis grew up living on various farms his family owned in Missouri and Kansas.  He helped raise cattle and hogs.  He also helped raise corn and tomatoes. Starting work at age 11 as a golf caddy, he began to develop his highly skilled golf game.  After playing in high school, he once captured a city of Lawrence golf championship. Lewis had a life-long passion for golf. 

Lewis was drafted by the Army Corps and served at Fort Riley and received an honorable discharge.  He was very proud to have served his country when drafted in the 1950’s.

Lewis loved farming and cattle, continuing by helping at his parents’ family farm with row crops, cattle and hogs after graduating from high school. His many jobs included working at Jimmy Toppings as a farm hand, Standard Oil, as a school maintenance worker, delivery driver for Railway Express, then landed at Farmland Industries in 1962.  He retired from Farmland after 32 years as a mechanic and crane operator to work full-time as a cattleman.  Raising cattle was a life-long love and way of life for Lewis and he passed that on to his son Paul Kirk. 

Lewis married Frances E. Kirk in 1963 and had Laura, Paul and Sarah with Frances.  They divorced in 1983.  Lewis met the love of his life and married again in 1998.  He and Virginia Curtis were married 26 years at the time of his death.  Lewis was a family man first and cherished his wife Virginia loving her with all his heart.  Lewis loved music and dancing.  He often went to dances at the Knights of Colombus and enjoyed dancing with Virginia up until his last days. Lewis always made sure his wife and family were cared for across many trials and tribulations.  He was truly a man of character with a work ethic that was unparalleled.

Lewis said that “Life is full of cycles – good times and bad times.  Bad times will always turn into good times.”  His family tries to live with this advice and we hope all readers can appreciate.

The family suggests memorials in Lewis’s name to DAV – Disabled American Veterans https://www.dav.org/ and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary 120 W. 13th St. Lawrence, KS  66044.

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.