John Arthur Kirk

John Kirk, 72, died Sunday, September 1, 2019 at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. 

A Time of Sharing will be held 5-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home, Bemidji.  Military Honors will be provided by Harold Baggenstoss VFW Post 1260 of Bemidji. Inurnment will be at a later date at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.  

John Arthur Kirk was born August 31, 1947 in Moose Lake, MN to Malcom & Marie Kirk.  He grew up and graduated from Moose Lake High School in 1965.  He attended Concordia College in Moorhead until he was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam War.  John was honorably discharged in 1969.  After the service, he attended Northwest Technical College where he earned a degree in automotive mechanics and also received his teaching license.  John taught auto mechanics, welding, and math at Cass Lake/Bena High School, finally retiring in 2012 after 38 years of education.  He also coached the Cass Lake/Bena Boys golf team to several state tournament appearances. 

He built race cars for many years, spending time at Bemidji Raceway with friends and drivers.  He then ventured to golf as a way to “relax”, often building and repairing clubs.  After retiring, he then launched his love of fishing in both summer and winter, enjoying hours of worm drowning.

John is survived by his daughters, Trudy Kirk and Trisha (Ryan) Saulsbury; son, Terrence Kirk; grandchildren, Kylee Kirk and Jack & Katherine Saulsbury; special friend, Sharon Stebe; his siblings, Jeff Kirk and Jacquelynn “Jackie” Kirk.  He is preceded in death by parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

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