Elmer Ray Kirk

Elmer Ray Kirk, 86, of Batesville died Sunday, October 11, 2009 in a local assisted living center.

Elmer was born April 16, 1923 in Cushman, Arkansas, the son of John Kirk and Alice Sandefur Kirk. Elmer graduated from Cushman High School, where he was a standout basketball player. He attended the University of Arkansas where he majored in agriculture and economics. He was also a member of the Razorback Basketball Team as a walk-on point guard. After college, he taught returning World War II Veterans at Valley Springs School near Harrison, Arkansas. He later returned to Independence County and started what is now known as North Arkansas Farm Supply. Elmer was a beef cattle farmer for most of his life in and around Independence County, but was also involved in many business ventures including managing Midwest Lime Company, owning and operating a Ford tractor dealership in Batesville, and vice-president of Farmer’s Union Insurance, which is now known as Farmers Insurance Group. Elmer had many passions in his life; one of which was raising Missouri Fox Trotters and mules. Elmer often used his mule teams in his farming operations. He owned two World Champion Missouri Fox Trotters. He also loved gardening, raising vegetables for years. He often gave away what he raised to friends and family. He enjoyed traveling; he owned a motor coach and traveled all over the United States with his wife, family, and friends.

Elmer was recognized as a leader in Batesville and Independence County. He received numerous awards, honors, and recognitions through the years. Some of these honors include, Kiwanis Citizen of the Year (with a 45 year perfect attendance record), King White River, Lyon College Athletic Hall of Fame Service Award, Independence County Area Athletic Hall of Fame, former president of Independence County Fair Board, former president of Arkansas State Fair Manager’s Board, former board member of Crowley’s Ridge Girl Scout Association, and the honorary Alumni Award at Lyon College. Elmer was well-known for carrying the flag on horseback at the beginning of the White River Water Carnival Parade and Annual Christmas Parade for over 40 years.

Elmer’s first love was his family. He was a devoted husband and father and was married to his wife, Virginia, for 56 years. He met Virginia on a “blind date” and three months later they were married. He will be buried next to her on land they donated to Kyler Cemetery at Southside from the farm where they met on that first blind date. He was known as a generous and compassionate friend, widely respected throughout the state of Arkansas. His contributions to the Batesville and Independence County Community will be remembered for years to come.

He is survived by two daughters, Sarah Kirk Drake of Batesville and Katie Kirk Holt and husband, Robert of Harrison; four grandchildren, Tad Dunlap of Fayetteville, Mary Beth Dunlap of Jonesboro, Richard Holt of Fayetteville, and Anna Kate Holt of Fayetteville; several nieces and nephews; and three sisters-in-law, Sue Longsworth and husband, Thorne, Margie Kirk and Margaret Kirk.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Virginia Porter Kirk; four brothers, Edgar Kirk, Thurston Kirk, Kenneth Kirk, Robert Leonard Kirk; three sisters, Ina Sowell, Edith Weber, Medrith Kirk, and son-in-law, Mack Drake.

Pallbearers will be Judge Norman Harkey, Fairl Anderson, Hairl Anderson, Jim Hoskinson, Terry King, and Steve Singleton. Honorary pallbearers are John Ed Smith, Mike Hilliard, Gerald Meachum, Batesville Kiwanis Club, Employees of Southridge Assisted Living Center, and the Men’s Sunday School Class of the First Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be at the First Baptist Church in Batesville at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 14, 2009 with Bro. Eddie Cox officiating.

The family will receive friends at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 13, 2009.

Memorials may be made to Lyon College Annual Scholarship Fund, 2300 Highland, Batesville, Arkansas; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Attn: Memorial Department, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, and Alzheimer’s Arkansas, 10411 W. Markham, Suite 130, Little Rock, AR 72205-1409