James W. Kirk

James W. Kirk, 84, of Bel Air, MD passed away on July 26, 2015 at the Senator Bob Hooper House in Forest Hill, MD. Born in Rochester, PA, he was the son of the late John Alfred Kirk and Genevieve Thelma (Umstead) Kirk. In 1936 he moved to Maryland where he grew up in the Ednor Gardens area of Baltimore. He attended Baltimore Public Schools and graduated from Baltimore City College. From 1951 to 1953 he served our country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In 1957 he received his B.S. in Industrial Management from the University of Maryland and in 1962 his J.D. from University of Maryland School of Law. He began his employment with Western Electric, which became Lucent Technologies. During his time there he held various positions which included rate setter, engineering associate, Industrial Engineer, Supervisor, manufacturing manager (overseeing manufacturing, production control, quality control, human resources, warehousing, shipping, receiving and plant services). He was transferred to Phoenix, AZ in 1985, retired in 1992 and returned to Harford County in 1993.

His involvement in various organizations included the Harford County Housing Commission from 1974-76 (board member & president), Laurel Brook Improvement Association (member & president) and Fallston Swim Club 1975-85 (finance committee, board member & president), Harford County Board of Education 1980-85 (board member, vice president & president), Point Breeze Credit Union 1985-2010 (board member) 2001-2010 (supervisory committee) 2002-2010 (board member), Chesapeake Council 2001-present (vice president, president-elect & president), Telephone Pioneers Member-at-large, president, immediate past president, finance committee and currently serving as president again, Point Breeze Life Member Club from 1999-present and a member of the Maryland Bar Association.

A good husband and father, Mr. Kirk is survived by his wife of 58 years, E. Leonora Kirk; son, James W. Kirk Jr. (Debby) of Perryville; daughter, Susan K. Smith (Brian) of Pottstown, PA; grandchildren, Melanie Ann Kirk, C.J. Smith, Kevin A. Smith and fiancée Christina Comenzo, Heather E. Kirk, Tyler W. Smith; great-grandson, Evan James Arthur Smith; and many beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings, John A. Kirk, Richard E. Kirk and Dona Lou Wylie.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be sent to the Senator Bob Hooper House, c/o Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, 520 Upper Chesapeake Drive, Suite 405, Bel Air, MD 21014 or St. Mark Catholic Church, 2407 Laurel Brook Road, Fallston, MD 21047.