Search by Name
Search by Name
The world and Cortez lost a pillar of integrity, influence, volunteerism when Dean Arthur Kirk passed away peacefully at age 84 on Thursday, December 5, 2019 in Orem, UT. All these years of teaching, coaching, and volunteering started in a tiny, South Dakota farm house on July 28, 1935. New parents-to-be Glenn and Teresa Kirk loaded up in their Model A Ford and headed for the nearest town, Newell, SD.
During Dean's early years, they lived with relatives while his dad went from ranch to ranch and job to job to make ends meet. They eventually ended up in northern Idaho on the Montana border for the silver mining opportunities that offered hope for employment. His only sibling Jim was born at this time, which was a great joy for Dean. Then World War II started and they moved to Oregon to build ships for the war effort. After about one year in Oregon, his parents were able to save enough money to move back to northern Montana, and Idaho with an eventual move to Cortez, CO when he was 17.
The move to Colorado really changed and shaped the rest of Dean's life. It was at Cortez High School where he met the cutest girl he had ever seen. It took all of his nerve to finally ask her to dance at American Legion Dance for the first time. He and Barbara have been together ever since. His first year of college was at Fort Lewis College while he was waiting for Barbara to graduate from high school. Then they both attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
In December 1955, Dean Kirk married Barbara Garwood in a Baptist church in Las Vegas NV. 1957 was another milestone year for Dad in that they were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in February, welcomed their first child, Ronald, in March, and accepted the job teaching fifth grade at Downey school in Cortez, Colorado. Other than moving to the house south of town, they never moved again. Four more children added stability to his family; Patti, Kristi, Vicki, and Steven. 40 years of teaching school in the same classroom. 40+ years of working with youth from all walks of life. 40+ years of coaching, volunteering, and organizing every youth activity imaginable. It would be surprising to find anybody who was actually raised in Cortez during those years that was not taught, coached, or helped by Dean Kirk in some special way.
Dean Arthur Kirk is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara; Children, Ron (Katy) of Blanding, UT, Patti (Dave) of Thornton, CO, Kristi (Brad) of Provo, UT, Vicki (Nate) of Genola, UT, Steve (Allison) of Simpsonville, SC; 18 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his younger brother Jim; and a grandson, Joshua Baker.
The family expresses gratitude for the generous support and love received. And thank you Dad for such a great legacy!
Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. To send condolences or to view the full obituary, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.
Dean Arthur Kirk
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Ertel Funeral Home.
5 Entries
Mr. Kirk was my 5th grade teacher at Downey Elementary. He has always been one of my best teachers. He was a GREAT man! He will be missed dearly.
Dawn Beck/Barron
December 21, 2019
So very sorry to hear this. I loved Dean~ he was such a wonderful man. He will be missed by so many.
Terri HIGGINS
December 16, 2019
One of the most important men in my life.
Brian Mares
December 14, 2019
Dean was such a good person, teacher, coach. I sure appreciated him . It was an honor to know him. Bless him and the family.
Anita Marbury
December 14, 2019
To my wonderful Dad, thank you for being a great example of the kind of person I want to be. You were always kind and loving and happy and fun and you taught me how to be a good, hard working person. Thank you for being such a wonderful dad and granddad. You influenced not only me, but my husband Nate who thinks you are the finest man he's ever known and our kids who couldn't get enough of you. We all love you and can't wait to be with you again. Love your from your forever daughter, Vicki
Vicki Jacobson
December 11, 2019
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more