Foy Wayne Kirkland

On August 29, 2024, Foy Wayne Kirkland went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Foy was born June 10, 1933, the third of seven children to Joe Ernest Kirkland and Mary Ann (Morris) Kirkland . He grew up on the family farm and attended Martin’s Mill School.

After high school, he began his career at TEMCO in Grand Prairie, Texas. There he met his future mother-in-law, Mildred Parker, who arranged a date with her daughter, Barbara Earlene. That date led to a loving marriage of almost 70 years. During their courtship, he was drafted into the US Army. They were married after he completed his basic training in El Paso. He then deployed to Korea and served as an artillery specialist. He returned from Korea to a wife and baby boy, David, who was soon joined by 2 sisters, Linda and Janet. He resumed his career at TEMCO/LTV/Vought as an aerospace machinist. He worked in development of the Scout missile, the Gemini and Apollo space programs, and tail structures for Boeing aircraft. He retired at age 55 and spent the remainder of his years tending to his farm/ranch in Van Zandt County, just across the creek from where he grew up. Foy was also a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge and South Van Zandt Volunteer Fire Dept.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, son David (Julie), daughters Linda (Howard Harris) and Janet (Rod Bass) , brother Robert Nolan & Peggy Kirkland, sisters, Cora & Sammy Loper, and Betty Loyce Hinderer, sister-in-law, Cheri Kirkland, 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Foy was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Ernest and Mary Ann, sister, Jo Ann Whittenberg, and brothers, Kellis Gene and Ernest Don Kirkland.