Theo N Kirkland Jr.

Theo N. Kirkland, Jr. April 4, 1924 - February 18, 2015 Dr. Theo Neal Kirkland, Jr. (90) of Birmingham, AL was born to Theo Neal Kirkland, Sr. and Ethel Landers Kirkland. Born in Montgomery, AL, he attended Emory University and the University of Alabama Medical School. He completed his residency in Ophthalmology at Tulane University, where he met his first wife, the late Ruth Morris Kirkland, mother of Theo’s four children. Not long after finishing his residency, Theo served as a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy during the Korean War and returned to Birmingham to practice Ophthalmology for more than 50 years. After the death of his first wife he married Wilma (Jeannie) Thomas Kirkland (deceased). He is survived by his four children: Dr. Theo N. Kirkland III (m. Grace) of San Diego, CA; Rebecca Kirkland Stephenson of Birmingham; Amy Kirkland Myers (m. George) of Birmingham; and Peter Burnham Kirkland (m. Kate) of Birmingham, as well as numerous grandchildren, and a great grandson. His priorities were his family, his profession and his faith. He worked as an ophthalmologist for many years, primarily at Medical Center East. He simply loved being a physician and helping thousands of people preserve their sight. Theo was always very active and preferred to spend his leisure time at his farm in St. Clair County tending to his garden and cattle. Theo was a kind, honest and hardworking man who devoted much of his life to medical missionary work with underprivileged people in Alabama, Mexico and Central America. He was a faithful member of the Church of Christ who was guided by his faith in all things. Theo was a wonderful man who was widely loved. We will miss him dearly. The funeral will be at Johns-Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel on Friday at 2 PM with reception following service. In lieu of flowers donations should be made to the Ashville Church of Christ, 33502 US Highway 231 Ashville, Al 35953.