C. Avon ‘Curly’ Kirks C. Avon ‘Curly’ Kirks July 2, 1936 — May 13, 2008 MONTROSE — C. Avon “Curly” Kirks passed away at Montrose Memorial Hospital in Montrose, Colo. on May 13, 2008 at the age of 71. Curly was born on July 2, 1936 in Grand Junction, Colo. to Emmitt and Helen (Denham) Kirks. He spent his childhood and graduated from high school at Cortez, Colo. Curly attended Western State College in Gunnison on a Wrestling and Academic Scholarship, graduating with an engineering degree in air conditioning. After graduation he did his apprenticeship in Grand Junction, and then opened his own business, H & K Sheet Metal in Cortez. Curly left Cortez to work for Elam Co. in Page, Ariz. and was involved in work at the dam on Lake Powell. Later he moved to Alaska and worked for the C.R. Lewis Co., which transferred him to work in Spokane, Wash. and Missouri. In 1998 he retired after 35 years of engineering in air conditioning and sheet metal industry and moved to Montrose. In Montrose he made metal craft items from his own designs for his family and friends. He was a devoted son, father and grandfather; calling his mother daily to check on how she was doing; he was her best friend and companion. His special interests included golfing, watching all sports on television, attending all the wrestling matches in Montrose that he could; hunting, fishing and dancing. Curly was known for managing Bingo at the Elk’s Lodge in Montrose for seven years and was honored in July 2007 at his 70th birthday party for being one of the most active volunteers at the lodge. He started out as a member of the Elk’s Lodge in Cortez and then joined in Montrose and was a past officer of the Montrose Elk’s Lodge No. 1053. Curly was also a member of the Black Canyon Classic Car Club and had a 1952 Chevy. One of his favorite hobbies, that he was so proud of, was his 26 cars in his car collection; he collected a different car each year. Curly will be deeply missed by his family which includes his mother, Helen Glendening of Montrose; four sons, Rick Kirks and wife Sheri of Cortez, Rob Kirks and wife Stacy of Mancos, Colo., Kevin Kirks and wife Christine of Sacramento, Calif. and Kelly Kirks of Denver; one daughter, Christy Notary and husband Al of Denver; 12 grandchildren; one sister, Jeanette Bailey and husband Frank of Mesa, Ariz.; and two nieces. He was preceded in death by his father, one son Randy in January 2008; and one nephew. Memorial contributions may be made in Memory of Curly Kirks to: Laradon Hall for Disabled Children at Montrose Elk’s Lodge No. 1053, 801 S. Hillcrest, Montrose, CO 81401. A memorial service to celebrate his life was held at the Montrose Elk’s Lodge No. 1053 on Saturday, May 17, 2008. A family inurnment of cremains will take place at the Olathe Cemetery in Olathe, Colo. at a later date. Arrangements were handled under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home and Crematory, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81041 (970) 249-2121. |