Roy Kirk

Mr. Roy James Kirk, Sr., 72, transitioned peacefully from this life to everlasting life to forever be with the Lord June 11, 2018, at the Oak Ridge Diversicare Nursing Home.

Roy was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, June 9, 1946, to loving parents, Willie B. and Addie Pearl Kirk.  Both parents and four siblings: Willie Frank, Jimmie Andrew, Eloise, and Randy Flakes have preceded him in their homegoing celebrations. Roy surrendered his life to Christ at an early age, and later rededicated his life and most recently united with the House of Worship.

He attended Oak Ridge High School and worked as a machine cleaner for 28 years at the Y-12 plant until he retired due to health complications. 

Roy, affectionately called “Steppa” or “Pop” was our husband, dad, grandfather, brother, uncle, in-law, cousin, and friend. No one would deny that his presence could fill and light up a room and that his crazy cool personality was just naturally his way. Known as a stern disciplinarian, communicator (especially with the eyes), comedian, dancer, boxer, chef, andswagged out dresser, we will forever cherish the love that he shared!  

Your life battles were long and hard, but by God’s grace you were a warrior and an overcomer of all odds and the ills that attacked your mind, body, and spirit! You fought a good fight and we say rest in the Lord, we love you, and we will see you in the morning!

Pop is survived by his wife, Rhonda; his children, Roy James Jr. (Cynthia), Stafford VA, Jerome (Dionne), Joseph (Cheryl, a special friend), Gina LaVette, Tawanna  Blakeney (Wesley), Marlo Anderson (Jeanette), Curtis James and Malachi James, all of Oak Ridge; sisters, Dorothy Lewis, Oak Ridge and Alberta Cole, Birmingham, Alabama; aunt Callie Summers, Gary, Indiana; uncles J. C. Summers, Tuskegee, Alabama and Calvin Pitts, Opelika, Alabama; mother-in-law, Patsy Ridings, Loudon; sisters-in-law Brenda & Patricia, Oak Ridge; Wilma, Chattanooga; Karen (Troy), Lenoir City; brother-in-law James, Kingston.  

Pop also leaves a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends to cherish his memory and life’s legacy of love! 

Friday, June 15, 2018, the family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a service to follow at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 195 Wilberforce Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Elder T.L. Mims, Pastor and Elder Darris Waters, Eulogist.  Interment will immediately follow at Oak Ridge Memorial Park where a dove release will conclude the service.  Flowers may be delivered to the church the morning of the service.  Professional arrangements entrusted to Patton Funeral Home, Brian L. Buckmon, LFD, 1-800-824-8283 or www.pattonfuneralhome1962.com. 

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