Don W. Kirkham was born on October 19, 1933 in Oklahoma City, OK to Francis C. and Alta Zornes Kirkham. He grew up with 5 siblings, and maintained many childhood friendships for the rest of his life. In order to have a better life, Don worked hard, “from rags to riches” and improved his way of life. He started by parking cars downtown, and after that, joined the Oklahoma City Fire Department. He helped organize the Firefighters Union in Oklahoma City, and then later retired from the Fire Department as a Captain after 20 years. He then became the President of the Oklahoma City Employees Union. Later, he started working for the City of Oklahoma City as the Assistant Personnel Director. Throughout his entire career, he was a labor organizer, fighter, and friend of the employees union, and worked all over the state of Oklahoma to help others get fair wages and fair treatment. He was loved and respected by all who knew him, and will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Alta; wife, Ruth Kirkham; and siblings, Betty Rollans, Gene Kirkham, and Martha Hayes.
He is survived by his eight children, Barbara Davis, Larry Kirkham (wife Carolyn), Kenny Kirkham (wife Cindy), and Valerie Hamilton, Connie Wedgeworth, Dixie Davis, Kathy Griffin, Robert Phelps (wife Margaret); siblings, Tommy Kirkham and Mary Ellsworth; 19 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren; and many other friends and family.
