Leonard Kirk

SYRACUSE – Leonard Odell Kirk, 72, passed away Monday, October 23, 2017 at his home from Glioblastoma Cancer.

He was born August 2, 1945 in Huntington, West Virginia the son of Renzel Boyd and Hazel Irene Cooper Kirk.  Odell graduated from Milton High School in West Virginia and joined the U.S. Air Force serving in the Vietnam War.

In 1966 Odell was stationed to HAFB where he soon met the love of his life Ellen Hieb on a blind date to Hawkins Drive In.  They later married on June 9, 1967, from that union came two children, Brent Odell Kirk born on October 23, 1970 and Heather Marie (Kirk) Patterson born on April 12, 1974.  He decided to finish his education and graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice in 1980. Odell retired as a Graphics Designer from HAFB.

Odell was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah.

We spent pretty much our childhood at every ballpark in the Western U.S.  The team placed in tournaments from California to Georgia.  After his age caught up to him he could not leave the game and became the manager of the Deyhle Rumrz Softball Club which he led to two NSA World Championships in 1990 and 1996.  He was later inducted into the Utah Softball Hall of Fame in 2013.  Still, not being able to leave the game he became his grandchildren’s biggest fan and supporter of all their sports and activities, later leading him into the position of Manager over Steed Softball Complex after retirement from HAFB in 2003.  Being the go-getter he is he decided to volunteer at Davis Medical Center on Wednesdays in the E.R.

Unfortunately our lives would be changed forever in August 2015 when he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma (brain tumor).  In October the fight of his life began with months of treatments at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.  He fought long and hard but lost the battle on October 23, 2017 surrounded by his family.

We would like to say a special thank you to our mom for her devoted love, dedication and unconditional care she gave to our dad.

Surviving are his wife Ellen, children, Brent O. (Melissa) Kirk, Syracuse; Heather M. (Shane) Patterson, Clearfield; five grandchildren, Braxton, Baylee, Broc Patterson, Tayler Stickler and Denver Kirk.

Preceded in death by his parents and sister, Sandra J. Booton.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.  Friends may visit family Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the mortuary.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Envision Hospice: Megan, Amber, Alexis, Christina, Mandy, “Gold Toes,” Huntsman Cancer Institute, Visiting Angels: Phyllis, Kimberlee, Maddie and Karina.

We love you dad and you will be greatly missed and that contagious laugh will never be forgotten.