W.T. Kirk (Plainview)

W.T. Kirk, 96, of Kress passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. W.T. was born on December 17, 1924 to W.O. and Ora Kirk in Chillicothe, Texas. Nearly a century ago W.T. brought his wit, competitive nature, glass half-full attitude, and dedication to his family into the world. For the past 96 years he spread his love for life through his daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, wife, and friends inside and out of the roping arena. Old school cowboys visiting about rodeo often find that they too lost a few belt buckles to W.T. back in the day. He had a knack for roping and travelled with his beloved wife, Louise, from the Panhandle to the tip of Texas exercising his life’s biggest hobby. He was notorious for wiping the trophy cases clean wherever he showed up. He could catch whatever came out of the chute and do it faster than anyone else. When asked about his strategy, he always smirked and said, “We just showed up and roped.” Whether you saw it then or had the pleasure of hearing about it from one of his stories, it was clear W.T. loved the life he lived and those whom he shared it with. While his accomplishments were many, he left much more of a legacy in those he left behind. With his wife, Louise, and his daughters, he shared his life’s best moments with the family that eventually spread across the country carrying his drive, humility, and grateful attitude with them. As intimidating as it might have been to enter into a roping with W.T. on the program, the father showered his soft heart over everyone he knew. W.T. Kirk was as good of a man as they come. Those who were lucky enough to know him will miss the cowboy hat and the man with a constant smile underneath it. W.T. is preceded in death by his parents, W.O. and Ora Kirk; wife, Louise Kirk; brother Cecil Kirk; daughter, Cynthia Kirk Dean; and nephew Mike Kirk. He is survived by his three daughters, Vickie Hughes & husband David of Plainview, TX, Barbara Wunderlich of Gillette, WY, and Karen Kirk of San Angelo, TX; niece, Patsy Perschbacher; sister in laws, Jan Garrett, Martha Warlick (Monte), and Faye Watkins; five grandchildren, Tracy Hughes (Maygan), Stephanie Williams (James), Kelli Snedecor (Scott), Kirk Boatright (Jonna), and Reagan King (Carlynn); eight great grandchildren, Kelsey Williams, Cade Williams, Colton Snedecor, Kallyn Snedecor, Saige Boatright, Sadie Boatright, Emeri King and Weston King. A memorial for W.T. will be in Kress, Texas at a date to be determined. Memorials can be made to Wayland Baptist University, Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, or to a charity of one’s choice.