Cyrus Eugene Kirk

Mr. Cyrus Eugene Kirk, 91, of Dalton passed away Saturday, March 8, 2014.
He was born on June 22, 1922 in Anding, Mississippi to Carey Lawrence and Willard Sadler Kirk.
Eugene grew up in Roundaway, Mississippi and graduated from Linn High School in Sunflower County, Mississippi in 1939. After high school he attended Mississippi State College in Starkville where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering. In 1943 Cyrus joined the US Army where he served in World War II and was the recipient of the Silver Star, awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States. He was discharged in 1946, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant.
Eugene owned and operated a dairy for eight years before joining Ludlow Manufacturing & Sales in 1965 where he worked for 20 years. Succeeding that Eugene was VP-Operations for Sikes Corporation, Operations Manager for Rogers Dye & Finishing, Sales & Marketing Manager for Chem-Tech Finishers and General Manager for Color Spectrum. He retired in 1986 at age 65.
Eugene married Virginia Mitchell in November 1942 in Cleveland, Mississippi with his brother Lawrence and her sister Nadine as witnesses and was happily married for seventy-one years. Eugene was an active member of First Baptist Church Dalton, Georgia, where he served in many capacities including Sunday School teacher. Eugene’s avocation was carpentry and he enjoyed construction projects on mission trips to Alaska, Chicago, Oregon, New Jersey, New York and Mexico. Eugene led and enjoyed volunteering with Habitat for Humanity where he helped build 24 houses in 12 years. Throughout his life Eugene enjoyed gardening and kept a spectacular yard at 646 Sam Love Road.
Eugene was preceded in death by his parents Carey Lawrence and Willard Sadler Kirk and two younger brothers, Durwood Lawrence Kirk and Willard Douglas Kirk.
Eugene is survived by his spouse Virginia Kirk of Chatsworth; daughter, Lynne Miller (WG) of Hattiesburg, MS; sons, Cy Kirk (Jean) of Rocky Face, Joe Kirk (Ratih) of Malang, Indonesia, Neil Kirk (Toby) of Covington, OK; sister, Sybil Arant (Turner) of Blaine, MS; brothers, Bobby Kirk of Roundaway, MS, Floyd Kirk of Raymond, MS and Dr. Andy Kirk of Enterprise, AL; grandchildren, Michelle Bridges (Anthony), Shawn Stanley (Rodney), Kristen Cundiff (Brad), Ginger Light (Jimmy), Carey Kirk, Sabrina McDonald (Richard), Lynette Gregory (Ronnie), Dr. Stephanie Hibler (Matt), Cameron Rodgers (Waylon), Karlie Harper (Jon), Savannah Kirk, Lawrence Kirk and Austin Kirk; great-grandchildren, Morgan Stanley, Hunter Stanley, Lynsey Bridges, Cameron Cundiff, Andrew Bridges, Gabriel Kirk, Reaghan Cundiff, Barrett McDonald, Jordan Harper, Rebekah Bridges, Cutter Rodgers, Russ Harper, Dalton Gregory, Arlyn Hibler and his nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services will be Thursday at 10 A.M. in the chapel of the Dalton First Baptist Church with Dr. Billy Nimmons, Dr. Bill Ireland and the Rev. James Light officiating.
Burial will follow in West Hill Cemetery with Ronnie Gregory, Carey Kirk, James Light, Rodney Stanley, Anthony Bridges and Richard McDonald serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends at Love Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5 to 8 P.M.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 2477, Dalton, Ga. 30722.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave, Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.