James Gregory Kirk

James Gregory "Greg" Kirk was born on September 24th, 1971 in Racine, Wisconsin to his parents James Glen Kirk and Brenda Fay (Green) Kirk. After a very hard battle he entered into eternal rest on May 6th, 2023 at his home in Pineville, West Virginia, at the young age of 51.

Greg was a 1990 Woodrow Wilson High School graduate. He also attended vocational school where he obtained his HVAC and Welding certification.

Greg's first love of life was his son Cole and was so very proud of the young man he had grown into and his accomplishments.

One of Greg's great passions in life and continued quest to better himself was his love of martial arts, earning a Blackbelt in the art of Ho Kuk Mu Sul in 2018 and then being inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2019.

As many know, Greg was a car enthusiast. He enjoyed learning about cars, working on cars, talking about them and generally just being involved in the automotive community and most of all he loved Mustangs and classic cars.

Greg started his career with West Virginia Department of Corrections over twenty years ago which lead him to a twenty-one year career with the Department of Justice-Federal Bureau of Prisons. Greg began his career there as a GS5 officer on March 11, 2001. He worked diligently to earn higher ranks up to positions with increased responsibility as a Lieutenant. In June of 2022 he was promoted to GS10 Lockshop Armory Supervisor which was shortly before his battle began. It was with so much excitement that he gained this position and worked it a very short time. Greg held other positions concurrently with those mentioned above at the prison as a bus certified officer and a firearms instructor. He was extremely passionate about training staff to ensure they all went home to their families safely each day.

Greg is preceded in death by his father James Glen Kirk; paternal grandparents James Pugh Kirk and Leona Gadd Kirk; maternal grandparents Clyde Elmer Green and Ruby Hall Green; and aunts Shirley Acord, Sue Osborne, and Charlotte Manning.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his beloved wife Portia (McGraw) Kirk; his loving mother, Fay Kirk; son Gregory Cole Kirk; his bonus children Loren Hutchison, Tanner and Dawson Thames; bonus grandsons Kendrick Price and Asher Price; a very special cousin A. Todd Manning that was his brother by heart; bonus sister Stacy (Brandon) Hedrick Downey; two special cousins Pamela Cornett and Becky Black whom remained devoted with so much love and support throughout his life and during his illness. He is also survived maternal aunts, Connie Reno and Kitty Mooney; and uncle Clyde (Becky) Green; and stepmother Vanessa Kirk as well as many extended family and friends who will miss him dearly.

A celebration of Greg's life will be held on Saturday May 13th at 3:00 PM at the Crab Orchard Baptist Church in Crab Orchard, West Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CAMC Foundation Hospitality House in his memory. Their mailing address is 302 30th Street SE Charleston, WV 25304.
Melton Mortuary and Cremation Center has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit www.meltonmortuary.com to leave condolences to his family.

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