Thomas Jefferson Kirkland

Thomas J. Kirkland, age 72, died on Friday, July 18, 2008 at Hartford Memorial Hospital.

A memorial gathering will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah”s Witnesses, W7922 Ollinger Road, in Beaver Dam, on Saturday, July 26, 2008 from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM. The memorial service will follow at the Kingdom Hall on Saturday. Randall Larson will speak. Cremation has taken place.

Thomas Jefferson Kirkland was born on July 21, 1935 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the late Earl and Kathleen (Dailay) Kirkland. He spent his early childhood in the Milwaukee area and Hillsboro, Illinois. Tom moved back to Wisconsin in his mid twenty”s and worked as a brake press operator for different fabrication companies, retiring in 1998. On October 12, 1963 he was united in marriage with Betty Gilge in Phillips, Wisconsin. Together, they had three children. Tom looked forward to playing “Bluegrass” music on his guitar with his family and friends. He was a hunter, fisherman, and an artist. Tom would draw portraits and beautiful sketches with a western theme that would include images of cowboys and horses. He loved studying the Bible and sharing what he learned with others. Tom liked gardening, especially growing potatoes and cutting his firewood. Tom was never serious and some would say he had crazy sense of humor. He was unique, which was what made him so special, and he will be missed by all of his family and friends.

Tom is survived by his wife, Betty Kirkland, Juneau, children, Peggy (Fred) Myers, Mora, MN, Patty (Mike) Berlik, Milwaukee, and Brian Kirkland, Oconomowoc, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Buck, and his sister, Stella Harper.

Memorials to the family are suggested.

The Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is caring for the family. Online condolences may be made on our website at www.MurrayFH.com

Service Details

Saturday, July 26th, 2008, 2:00pm, Kingdom Hall-Beaver Dam