Paul Roger Kirk, 86, of Spring, passed away peacefully in the early morning on the 20th of February.  He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Georgia Marie (Thacker) Kirk; his son, Brian P. Kirk and granddaughters Claire and Katie; his daughter Annalisa M. (Kirk) Taylor, husband Andy, granddaughters Carly and Laney, and grandson Will; his daughter Amanda D. (Kirk) Canady, husband Chester, granddaughter Mackenzie, and grandson Cameron; his sister Betty Anne (Kirk) Lacy, nephew Andy Lacy, niece Cara Lacy-Ball and husband Zane (great-nephew Alex and great niece Mimi).

Paul was born August 4th, 1938, in Houston, Texas to the late Donald Ashton Kirk and Mamie Francis (Essman) Kirk. He spent most of his early life in Houston, with a few years of his childhood spent living in San Fransico.  He graduated from Aldine High School in 1956. He also attended the University of Houston.

Paul's family was his top priority and he loved them fiercely.  Paul met the love his life, Georgia Marie Thacker in 1966 at the Princess Drive In.  A week and a half later he asked Georgia to be his wife.  Six months later, on January 13, 1967 Paul married Georgia starting a marriage that lasted 58 years. Together they raised three children, Brian, Annalisa, and Amanda.  Family was Paul's priority. He was a dedicated husband, dad, and grandad. He actively participated in their lives.  When his children were younger, Paul could be found coaching Brian's little league teams, sitting in the stands at sporting events for all three of his kids cheering them on, attending dance recitals, etc. Paul had a love for music and played the piano, accordion, and trombone.  It was not uncommon to find Paul teaching his kids little jingles on the piano or playing the accordion while they danced around. Paul continued this standard in the lives of all his grandchildren, attending every baseball game, football game, dance competition, dance recital, choir concert, art shows, etc. his grandchildren participated in.  It was a known fact that "Grandad" would treat his grandchildren to ice cream or a little treat from the corner store every time they were with him.  He was proud of his wife, children, and grandchildren, and bragged about them to anyone who would listen.

Paul taught his children the value of hard work, leading by example. He spent his civilian career as a project manager in the pipe fabrication sector of the oil and gas industry. He had a military career spanning 37 years in federal service and 14 years in the Texas State Guard, where he retired in the rank of Command Sergeant Major (CSM).

Paul began his military career on January 31, 1957 by enlisting in the United States Air Force at 19 years of age.  He completed basic training at Lackland AFB Texas and then completed Technical School Camera Repair at Lowery AFB Colorado.  From there Airman 2nd Class Kirk was assigned to the 308th Bomb Wing at Hunter AFB Georgia and worked on radar and strike camera systems on B-4E nuclear bombers. In 1959 Airman Kirk was assigned to Bitberg AFB and Ramstein AFB Germany and worked on camera and armament systems on F-86D an F-102A fighter jets. He was transferred to Laom AFB France in 1961 and worked on FR-101A aerial reconnaissance camera systems.

After completing his 3-year tour in Europe he was assigned to Charleston AFB South Carolina and retrained as a flight loadmaster. Airman First Class Kirk flew aircrew on C-130E aircraft and obtained flight instructor status. He was honorably discharged from active duty on March 19, 1965.

CSM Kirk enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserves at Ellington AFB Texas on March 26, 1965 and as a Staff Sergeant, flew as aircrew loadmaster on C-119G aircraft.  He was discharged March 25, 1967, and re-enlisted in the USAFRs on July 10, 1971 at Ellington AFB Texas. He flew aircrew on C-130A and B model aircraft (Georgia's only rival), obtained designation as flight examiner standardization evaluator, and was discharged on August 26, 1977. Total aircrew flight time over 5,000 hours.

CSM Kirk transferred to the Texas Army National Guard on August 27, 1977 as SFC (E7) in 536th Transportation Battalion in Pasadena, Texas. The Unit was reorganized as Combat Corp Engineers and he was assigned to the 386th Engineer Battalion as the Operations Sergeant.  SFC Kirk was made 1SG of HHC 386th Engineers in 1983. From the 386th Engineers he went to the 111th Area Support Group as Personnel and Administration NCO. In 1986 he served as Senior Construction Foreman for the Assistant Division Engineer of the 49th Armored Division in the 111th Engineer battalion.  In 1987 1SG Kirk was assigned to HHC 36th Brigade, 50th Armor Division as 1SG. In 1992 the Brigade was reorganized and assigned to the 49th Armored Division. During the time he served as 1SG for the Brigade, he was detailed to temporarily perform duties as CSM for the 36th Brigade and the 536the Forward Support Battalion. In 1995 he was assigned to HHD 49th Engineer Brigade as Senior Construction Foreman as MSG. MSG Kirk was discharged from the Texas Army National Guard on August 3, 1998, and retired as 1SG.

Paul joined the Texas State Guard on August 21, 1998 as Operations Sergeant for the State G3 Section as SGM. On January 26, 2006 he was transferred to the 4th Brigade as CSM where he retired from service in 2012.

CSM Kirk was awarded the Army Meritorious Service Medal and many Air Force, Army, and State Guard service medals.

The family will receive visitors Monday, February 24th, from 5pm to 8pm at Klein Funeral Home, 1400 West Main Street, Tomball, Texas 77375. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, February 25th at 1pm at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 801 E Main Street, Tomball, Texas 77375, with Fr. George McGavern officiating. Interment to follow Wednesday, February 26th at 10:15 am at Houston National Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers are his sons-in-law Andy Taylor and Chester Canady, grandsons Will Taylor and Cameron Canady, brothers-in-law Lester Thacker and James Thacker. Honorary pallbearers are nephew, Andy Lacy, Douglas Thacker, Paul Essman and Brandon Oestreich.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church Tomball, MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, St Jude Children's Hospital, and Camp Hope Veterans Organization.