Gary E. Kirk

REMEMBERING GARY E. KIRK

Gary died at home on September 28, 2024, due to complications from a 10-year battle with Parkinson's Disease. Born on November 28, 1945 in Louisville KY, he showed an early passion for the outdoors. At 18, he took a job as a night porter at Yellowstone National Park so he could enjoy its outdoor beauty during the day. After graduating from UNM with a degree in engineering, he was offered a civilian job with the US Navy and spent most of his career doing testing and research in Kauai, where he enjoyed hiking on secluded trails or scuba diving with his green turtle buddies near Poipu beach.

He retired in 2003 and this is when his life became really joyful. He moved to Placitas and married Renee.

He finally had space in his garage for big power tools and enjoyed building doors, gates, sconces, tables, even a wrap-around deck in sections. Moreover, he was ready to help neighbors with their projects or repairs. He accepted the volunteer position as president of the water board in our community. This was almost 15 years of problem solving, innovation, complex challenges, some disappointments but his legacy will live on in the community for years to come.

Gary loved to travel through Europe. There were winter ski trips to Germany, Austria or Switzerland. He learned to be an expert on Italian wines and shared both the knowledge and the wines with friends. He was romantic enough to enjoy donning a tuxedo and dancing with his wife on numerous crossings to Europe on the Queen Mary 2.

Gary is survived by his wife, Renee, with whom he has shared over 30 years of his best life, his 3 stepchildren, Craig (Deanna)Mathews, Eric Mathews, Mark (Nadine)Mathews, a nephew Shawn (Crystal)Kirk and 13 first cousins who will all miss him for his kindness, generosity, humor and spirit of service.

Gary will be cremated and interred at Gate of Heaven cemetery in Albuquerque. A Farewell Gathering/Celebration of life will be announced later this year. 

Donations may be made in his honor to the:

Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Grand Central Station P.O. Box 4777

New York, NY 10163