RALPH KIRKMAN Ralph Jay Kirkman, 99, of Licking, passed away Monday, Sept. 18, 2017.
He was born March 26, 1918, in Summersville, son of James Thomas and Nell McCallister Kirman. He and Vera Beasley were married Sept. 5, 1942.
He grew up in Hartshorn. He was the co-captain and center of Summersville’s basketball team. He graduated from Summersville High School in 1938.
For a short time after graduation, he helped with construction of Fort Leonard Wood. He then moved to St. Louis, where he worked at Independent Packing Co. for five years. In 1942, he and his wife, Vera, moved to Licking and purchased last east of town. He began building houses to rant. He worked on the assembly line at Lincoln-Mercury in St. Louis from 1952-’53. He continued building houses in Licking and later purchased more than 20 mobile homes to rent and sell. He built a trailer park at Licking and second on U.S. 63 north of Licking that he operated until retirement.
He enjoyed fishing, traveling, clogging and square dancing.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Vera; his parents; a sister, Delpha Albright; and four brothers, Bert, Lloyd, Floyd, and James C. Kirkman. Survivors include two children, Linda Roberts of Licking and Larry Kirkman of Columbia; six grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one step great-granddaughter; one great-great grandson; and many other family members and friends.
Services are 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at Fox Funeral Home. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Boone Creek Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.