I had the  great pleasure of working with Don when we did Brock’s Outdoor program. Don and I traveled a lot together, and it was always a pleasure being with him. Don was a very creative writer in doing the scripts for the programs. Don was the epitome of a Southern Gentleman and he could definitely throw out a verbal volley if he felt it was needed and do it in such a subtle way. I will miss you PaPa Don.    Tim Brown 

We were so sad to hear of Don's passing! What a great pleasure it has been for our crew at Menasha Ridge Press to be Don's Smoky Mountain fishing book publisher all these years - more than 3 decades. Such a fun, spirited teacher. He will be missed.
Our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
(The image included here is the first book of Don's that we published in the early 80s.)
-Molly Merkle, Menasha Ridge Press, Birmingham 

It  is  with great sadness  I learned of Don's passing.  He was a friend to me and a great friend of my father, Joe F. Manley.  He was a fantastic mentor of many and a outstanding  proponent of the Great Smoky's.  He will be remembered as a person who lifted up other men and women who chased after trout in a sporting and respectful  manner.  God bless him and our sincere condolences to his family. 

I wrote for Don, argued with him about the Smokies, differed with him professionally on multiple occasions, and in the end for all our differences found him an intriguing and often delightful character. He was a prolific writer who had undoubted passion for his craft. He belonged to the old school of writers and whatever else you say about the man, his work ethic was admirable. I'm happy that in his final years we reconciled most of our differences (both of us no doubt mellowed) and shared some meaningful moments together. He left us far too soon and in doing so took away some of the joie de vivre so characteristic of the sporting scribes of yesteryear.
Jim Casada

Don and Leah Kirk have been friends and long time sponsors through Southern Trout magazine for many years to the Great Smoky Mountain Trout Unlimited chapter and he will be missed.
Don has been a personal friend for many years and has given myself and our chapter many opportunities to expand our outreach in the world of the outdoors. As an author, publisher, editor and writer of both books and magazines over his long career, he has educated and entertained millions of people. 
He was always determined that the stories and the people of the Great Smoky Mountains history be told and honored and not forgotten. It was the driver that motivated Don to start the annual Southern Trout Magazine's "Legends of the Fly" Hall of Fame held each year at the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show for years. I was honored to be the master of ceremonies every year and was able to meet and come to  know many of the greats in fly fishing because of Don's friendship.
Don was scheduled to receive his long deserved place next week on November 5-6th 2021 at the Fly Fishing Museum Hall of Fame event in Bryson City, North Carolina. His family will accept the award in his honor and I look forward to being a part of this event.
We send our prayers and thoughts to his wife, Leah Kirk and the Kirk family.
John Reinhardt 
President 
Great Smoky Mountain Trout Unlimited 

Don was a good guy I am so sorry .I will be praying for the family God bless you 'all .fly high my friend !

I'll never forget when Don and Joann ( his first wife) came over for dinner many times..Joann would make homemade wild strawberry pie that she would bring, his son Shae and daughter Stephanie would come and hang out with our kids..lots of great times! Don and my Husband at the time Pete Clark spent many hours together fishing the lake, rivers and any good size creek they could find! They both enjoyed making their own flies and swapping fishing tales..we heard lots of great stories believe me! Good fellow..he will be missed.

OBITUARIO

Donald Wayne Kirk

25 noviembre, 1952 – 24 octubre, 2021

Rockco Funeral Home (Montevallo)

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