John Jay Kirk passed peacefully at home from this life on earth to eternal life in heaven on January 23, 2017. His big beautiful heart stopped beating.

John was born on December 7, 1956 in Belle Fourche, SD to John Jr. and Ruth (Kokesh) Kirk, the first grandchild among Ruth's brother's and sister's.

He loved growing up in Belle Fourche from kindergarten to 10th grade and was active in sports, drama, music and Boy Scouts reaching the level of Explorer.  He gathered many lifelong friends along the way.

In 1973, his family, now with little sister, Janifer, in tow to dote on, moved to Pierre, SD. He graduated from T.F. Riggs High School in 1975.

After graduation, he tried college life at South Dakota State University, but his lifelong commitment to service called and he joined the U.S. Army in 1977, training in helicopter maintenance stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky with the 101st Air Borne.

After his tour, he was honorably discharged and the Black Hills of South Dakota called him home. He joined the South Dakota Army National Guard and served in guard units across the state as everything from a radio operator (wire dog) to a mess cook, training and volunteering for extra duty along the way.  During his time in the National Guard he was overheard saying, "Who's that?" and he met his someday wife, Jennifer (Friel) at the 842 D in Spearfish, SD.  Some day they managed to meet up again in 1990 and were married in Pierre, SD on May 24, 1991.  While in Spearfish he attended Black Hills State and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Industrial Arts.  He shared his college graduation day with his sister's college graduation day.  And of course he gathered many more lifelong friends especially the BH Vet's club, near and dear as his brothers and sisters.

With degree in hand, he landed a job with the State of South Dakota. Staying with them for over thirty years.  He worked for transportation and as a draftsmen in the office of Building Engineers.  He was also a draftsman planner for BOA Special Projects in Pierre.  His work can be seen at the Fighting Stallions Memorial, and he was most proud of the Capitol Lake Improvements, World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Peace Officers and Firefighters Memorial, Hilger's Gulch and the Cultural Heritage Center.  He was so proud to participate and help facilitate the WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War Memorial dedications and celebrations.  He was especially inspired because his dad John, was a Korean War Vet and his Aunt Sharon, is a Vietnam Veteran.

In 2007, he was excited to learn of a position at Camp Rapid with Military and Veteran's Affairs, CFMO. He proudly worked there up to his passing.  Once again John got to work on amazing projects, he was especially proud of the new Joint Force HQ Building and the old gym at Fort Meade.  There are many small and significant improvements scattered all over Camp Rapid and the National Guard Armories in South Dakota with John's touch and attention.

Aside from work he loved the outdoors, as a little boy riding his bicycle at break neck speed up and down Water Tank hill and later feeling the wind in his face on his Harley.  He hunted with Dad all over North Western South Dakota and fished the beautiful lakes and streams of the Black Hills.  He and his wife logged hundreds of hours four wheeling with a pickup, a jeep, and finally a Can Am Commander.  It was in those places that he felt closest to God.  One of his favorite John Muir quotes, "Go to the mountains and get their good tidings."

John and Jennifer were not blessed with children but loved their "bar kids" (you know who you are). They also loved their fur kids and they miss him very much.

Also surviving him and missing him terribly is his wife, Jennifer (Rapid City); mother, Ruth (Sturgis); sister, Janifer (Rapid City); mother and father In Law, Clara Mae and David Hlavinka; brother's in law, Andy (Yennifer) Friel of Spearfish, Paul (Penni) Friel of Kodiak, AK, Sam (Dawn) Friel of Wilson Creek, WA; uncles, Jim (Margy) Kokesh, Robert (Joyce) Kokesh, Donald (Pam) Kokesh, Ron (Darlene) Kokesh; aunts, Delores Frost, Norma Leger, LaVerne Kokesh, Sharon (Mike) Arent; and many wonderful cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Jr. Kirk; grandparents; and father in law, Fred Friel.

John had an army of amazing friends and co- workers- God Bless you all!! Especially Don D.

John's service to others lives on through organ donation.

Graveside services will be held at 12 pm on February 1, 2017 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with Chaplin Lynn Wilson officiating.  Military honors will be conducted by the Sturgis Volunteer Honor Guard and the SD Army National Guard.