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Michael Richard “Rick” Kirk 1957 – 2019. His life was well lived, and he was well loved! The Lord called him home in a peaceful manner at Medical City Plano after battling pancreatic cancer for 2 ½ years, with his family by his side, on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 in his 62nd year. This gentle, loving, caring, and wonderful man has left a permanent mark etched on our hearts and will be supremely missed by his wife and best friend of 34 years Susan (Lyles) Kirk and his children Lyles Michael Kirk, Killian Richard (Elizabeth “Liz” Williams) Kirk, and Declan Wayne (Aubrey Allison) Kirk. Rick is survived by his brother Bobby (Peggy) Kirk, father-in-law and mother-in-law Wayne (Eula Abernathy) Lyles, brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-law Kathleen “Kat” (Danny) Whittaker, Terry (Dawn) Lyles, Greg (Jennifer) Lyles, nephews and nieces Greg (Rosalyn) Kirk,Chandler (Julia) Lyles, Tucker (Hollyanne) Lyles, Micah Whittaker, Madison (Brent) Bazemore, grandnephew Jeremy (Whitney) Kirk and grandnieces Nicole Kirk and Charlotte Lyles, and great grandnephew Kacen Lewis.
Rick was born in 1957 in Americus Georgia to J.C. and Ina Ruth (Adams) Kirk. His Christian faith and family were the essence of Rick’s life. He spent his life as a hardworking, dedicated, loyal, faithful and loving husband and father. Rick enjoyed a passion for sports cars, finding a bargain, collecting antique guns, and hunting and fishing with his sons. He was also well-known for his sense of humor, lustrous head of hair, and his delicious culinary creations. Rick began his career working during summers and holidays in his Uncle Albert’s appliance and grocery stores at the age of 12 until becoming General Manger. Rick continued to work full-time until May of this year and retired with over 30 years of restaurant and operations experience. He started with Ryan’s Restaurant Management Group as an Assistant Store Manager. He was promoted to General Manager and Area Director within the first 2 years. He was the first to be promoted to Regional Partner Vice President in the company in 2002. Rick was then promoted to Vice President of Operations in 2005 and became the Division President of Ryan’s in October 2008 following the merger with Buffets, Inc. Rick went on to work for Homestyle Dining and Dickey’s Barbecue. Prior to joining Ryan’s, Rick was employed at Golden Corral for 8 years during which time he was an Operating Partner and Corporate Training Store Manager. Rick will be forever remembered for his beautiful smile, gentle eyes, caring heart, loving embrace and unconditional love. Rick will be sadly missed by his family, many friends, and co-workers. Although our hearts are heavy, we will celebrate his life and find comfort that he is in heaven watching over us.
All are welcome for visitation to take place at Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel, 142 Southland Road, Americus, GA 31709, on Sunday, December 8th from 2-3 p.m. followed by the Funeral Service, which will begin at 3 p.m. Rick will be laid to rest at the Oak Grove Cemetery, 309 Rees St, Americus, GA 31709. Pallbearers will be Lyles Kirk, Killian Kirk, Declan Kirk, Greg Lyles, Danny Whittaker, and Brent Bazemore. Honorary Pallbearers are Bobby Kirk, Greg Kirk, Terry Lyles and his Ryan’s Restaurant Family.