Ode to John KirkA legend never dies
QMC (Ret) John Kirk, USN, died today.
For those of us lucky enough to know John, he was truely a wonderful human being, with a pretend grouchy side. I remember the first conversation I ever had with Lion John….he said, “you don’t want to join that club, they suck! Join ours, we sing!” Boy, could John ever sing. I think his singing voice was leftover from his younger drinking days with the Navy. John always had great stories from his Navy days too. Some he couldn’t tell because “the statute of limitations hadn’t run out yet….” Others, such as his time as a brown water river boat captain in Vietnam, you knew he was quite proud of.
John has been through so many medical issues in the past few years – cancer, multiple heart attacks, strokes. Do you know what he did? He said F*** it. He kept on going. He took his pills, and he drank his beers (with salt) and he kept on finding ways to stay active. “John” is a household name in National City, CA. I do not believe there to be a person in the city who has not been affected by him in some way. Through the National City Host Lions Club, Christmas in July and whatever other adventures Mr. Kirk could find – he was in it all, often trying to do it all. Up at the crack of dawn, and with the energy of a 20-year old, he was always looking for someone to help. John was a perfect role model for “love thy neighbor.”
Even though he has often told me that he wouldn’t be around much longer, I never thought he would die. There came a point when he just seemed invincible. But, legends never die. His name and his good works will live through his family, his friends, the Lions and all those he has touched in his life. Only now, John is laughin’ and scratchin’ in heaven, reunited with his beloved granddaughter and other family.
John Kirk, I am blessed to have known you. May you rest in peace.
Written by Amber Mathwig
QMC (Ret) John Kirk, USN, died today.
For those of us lucky enough to know John, he was truely a wonderful human being, with a pretend grouchy side. I remember the first conversation I ever had with Lion John….he said, “you don’t want to join that club, they suck! Join ours, we sing!” Boy, could John ever sing. I think his singing voice was leftover from his younger drinking days with the Navy. John always had great stories from his Navy days too. Some he couldn’t tell because “the statute of limitations hadn’t run out yet….” Others, such as his time as a brown water river boat captain in Vietnam, you knew he was quite proud of.
John has been through so many medical issues in the past few years – cancer, multiple heart attacks, strokes. Do you know what he did? He said F*** it. He kept on going. He took his pills, and he drank his beers (with salt) and he kept on finding ways to stay active. “John” is a household name in National City, CA. I do not believe there to be a person in the city who has not been affected by him in some way. Through the National City Host Lions Club, Christmas in July and whatever other adventures Mr. Kirk could find – he was in it all, often trying to do it all. Up at the crack of dawn, and with the energy of a 20-year old, he was always looking for someone to help. John was a perfect role model for “love thy neighbor.”
Even though he has often told me that he wouldn’t be around much longer, I never thought he would die. There came a point when he just seemed invincible. But, legends never die. His name and his good works will live through his family, his friends, the Lions and all those he has touched in his life. Only now, John is laughin’ and scratchin’ in heaven, reunited with his beloved granddaughter and other family.
John Kirk, I am blessed to have known you. May you rest in peace.
Written by Amber Mathwig