Jim Mack Kirk

Obituary: Jim Mack Kirk, age 91, died after a period of declining health on Monday, August 10, 2009, at Morningside Assisted Living Center, Concord, NC where he & his wife, Nell, had been living for several years. The Kirks' permanent residence for many years was 602 Willow Drive, Kannapolis, NC. He was born June 10, 1918, in Stanly County, NC, the son of the late Mack Lee Kirk and Bertie Burrage Kirk. He was a graduate of Richfield High School. Jim was a long-time member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Kannapolis, NC. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Navy having served during WWII. Starting in 1944, he began working at Montgomery Ward in Kannapolis in the tire and auto department and he also worked with Montgomery Ward in Greensboro and Rocky Mount, NC. Jim retired as division tire manager after 32 years with the company. In addition to being a member of the Kannapolis Lions Club, Jim was a very active and competitive golfer for many years and was also a member of the former Kannapolis Country Club and Cabarrus Country Club. He competed in many tournaments and won numerous awards and thoroughly enjoyed his annual trips to the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta and to many other golf courses throughout the United States. Besides golf, Jim and Nell enjoyed traveling together to Spain, Hawaii, Florida, and on Mississippi River tours among many other places. The family would like to express heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Robert Surratt who cared deeply for Jim as his physician, friend, and golf buddy; Mr. Mark Perry, good friend and advisor; and to the entire staff at Morningside Living Center who cared so compassionately for Jim. Also, the family sincerely thanks Hospice & Palliative Care for its devoted attention to Jim. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Frances Kirk Russell who had lived in Richfield, NC and his brother, Fred Kirk who had lived in Charlotte, NC. The funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 13, 2009, at Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel, Kannapolis, NC officiated by Rev. Sarah Weaver and Rev. Harold Bales. Entombment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Thursday prior to the service. Survivors include his wife, Nell Peeler Kirk, to whom he had been married for 66 years and was totally devoted; a number of nieces and nephews including Joe Russell of Richfield, NC; Fred Kirk of Concord, NC; Kimberly Kirk Helms of Indian Trail, NC; Gene Starnes and Pat Starnes Bramlett of Albemarle, NC; Judy Starnes Brasington of Charleston, SC and Highlands, NC; Lane Peeler of Lexington, SC; Doris Peeler Redding of Concord, NC; Brenda Peeler Palmatier of Laurel, MD; Michael Peeler of Raleigh, NC; and Carolyn Sasser of Birmingham, Alabama. Memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081 OR Alzheimer's Association, Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215 OR Trinity United Methodist Church, 416 East First Street, Kannapolis, NC 28083. On-line condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: Thursday, August 13, 2009 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 11:00 am Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park