Kirk Tracy Gisi, 56, Rapid City, died Sunday, May 12, 2013, at the Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 17, 2013, at the Countryside Church in Spearfish with Pastor Bob Totino officiating.

Kirk was born March 7, 1957, at Rapid City, SD, to Gordon and Delores (Remington) Gisi. He was a 1975 graduate of Rapid City Central High School. He attended the Arizona Automotive Institute and returned home to work at Rapid Transmission.

Kirk married Vivian Robinson and they moved to Phoenix, AZ, where Kirk worked for Biddulph Auto Deals. He started as a transmission mechanic and was promoted to Service Manager. Kirk was on the board of the Arizona Auto Institute and enjoyed playing slowpitch softball. He was involved in drag racing and owned many trophies from racing. His two favorites were from the 1998 Media Challenge of Champions from the National Hot Rod Association Winston Drag Racing Series and the NHRA Bridesmaid trophy.

Kirk moved to Carolton, OH, and worked with Larry Nance. They drag raced all over the United States.

Upon his return to Rapid City, Kirk worked for Fresh Start. He was a member of the Spearfish Community Church, the Black Hills 4 Wheelers, where he helped map many of the off road trails, ABATE, and the Dakota Territory Cruisers.

Kirk also donated much time to the Black Hills Children's Home. He enjoyed camping, fishing, working on cars and helping Dr. Warren Warwick from the University of Minnesota, with his first, second, and third generation vests for patients with Cystic Fibrosis.

Kirk was a survivor of Cystic Fibrosis for 56 years. He died of Lukemia. He fought hard and played harder. Even in death he donated his eyes so that others might see. RedBull was his drink of choice.

Survivors include his mother, Delores Gisi, Rapid City; two brothers, Randy (Shelbie) Gisi, Hill City, and Jon (Annette) Gisi, Pringle, SD; one sister, Stephanne (Brett) Stenson, Hill City; nephews, Joe Gisi, Sean and Seth Stenson, and Jeff Newell; nieces, Samantha and Ashlee Stenson, Sarah Gisi and Shia Gisi; also special buddies, Kathy, Kari, and Annie.

In Kirk's own words."As far back as I can remember, I spent most of my time in the Doctor's office or in the hospital. At age 12 is when my health went really bad! Local Doctors told my parents there's nothing more they can do, it's just a matter of time before I would die.

My Mom didn't give up. She called every hospital in the U.S. trying to find someone who could save me! She did! His name was Doc Warren Warwick. So she put me in the car and off to the U of M in Minneapolis.

After many tests the Doctor sat me and my Mom down to talk. He confirmed I had C.F. and these are the things I needed to do in order to stay alive! He said if I didn't I would die! Finally someone told me what was going on, and the funny thing was that I wasn't scared!

My life had its ups and downs over the years. I decided to not let CF get me down and not stop me from doing anything I wanted to try! So I got a dirt bike and enjoyed what every boy my age would do. Got into fast cars and enjoyed life for a change! My 20's and early 30's were trouble free until I had a mishap in 1997 in Denver. I had major pain in my right lung! Found a CF Doctor there, was admitted and shortly after had an artery burst in my lungs.

A memorial has been established to Cystic Fibrosis.

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