Curtis L. Kirkley, 88, of Inman, died March 13, 2023, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born March 1, 1935, in Claremore, OK, to Clarence and Rena Mae (Gilbert) Kirkley.
Curtis graduated from Claremore High School in 1953 and Oklahoma State University at Okmulgee in 1957. He served in the United States Army from 1953-1955. Curtis worked as a draftsman at Douglas Aircraft in Tulsa, JB Ehrsam in Enterprise, KS, and Balden Mill & Elevator in Enid, OK. In 1963, he moved to Hutchinson to work for Borton Inc., where he started as a draftsman, became purchasing agent, and retired as director of the engineering department in 2000.
Curtis was a member of First Southern Baptist Church of Hutchinson, where he was a deacon, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and soloed with his beautiful tenor voice. He also volunteered with Campers on Mission and Disaster Relief with the Southern Baptist Church and with Voice of the Martyrs. Curtis was an artist and excellent woodworker, making pens, furniture, and doing home construction projects.
On September 2, 1955, he married Katherine “Kathy” “Kate” York, in Claremore, OK. They shared nearly 60 years of marriage before her death on April 3, 2013.
Curtis is survived by: his children, Carol Kirkley of Salida, CO, Terri Martin (John) of Marshfield, WI, Martha Dawson (Bryan) of Jackson, TN, Christi Hopkins (Kyle) of McPherson; grandchildren; Joseph Martin (Taylor), Jonathon Martin (Kelsea), Mitchell Martin (Emily), Beau Martin (fiancé Nicole Holbrook), Matthew Dawson (Alejandra Diaz-Cepeda), Patricia Dawson, Tiffany Dawson, Isaac Hopkins (Meredith), Ben Hopkins; great-granddaughter, Eden Grace Martin; sisters, Dorothy Chapman of Shreveport, LA, Leatha McDonald of Corpus Christi, TX; and many extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Kenneth Kirkley; brothers, Robert Kirkley, Jess Kirkley, Eugene Kirkley; and sisters, Liddie Belle Lewis and Virginia Janos.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, March 16, at First Southern Baptist Church, 1201 E. 23rd Ave., Hutchinson. The service will be livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page.
Burial will be 1 p.m., Friday, March 17, 2023, at Oakhaven Memorial Gardens, 801 S. Normal St., Claremore, OK, with military honors conducted by the Fort Sill Honor Guard.
Friends may call from 1-8 p.m., with family present from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Southern Baptist Church or Campers on Mission, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.