I remember playing football with Taff at State.  I played right guard and Taff played left tackle. We were both only14 but we played at NC State. We played for the Optimist club the coach was  Mr. Gilliam.  NC State allowed the Midget league football teams to use their practice field for us to practice and play night games there under the lights.  We were in the 7th grade and playing football at NC State under the lights . We rode our bicycles down the bath beside the RR tracks What a wonderful time we had.
The one game that really stands out was the day it rained.......all day 
The field was in great shape and the grass was perfect ..................the fun came when we tried to run on that green onion. We  slipped and fell and slied exposing the red clay. When I got home I was wet and my uniform was red it had been blue. We moved to Garner in 1959 and   I moved to Wilmington in 1961 but every time I was in Raleigh I stopped by Cutler Street Grocery good  memories of a fond friend.

Sorry to  hear about Taff.  We were good friends growing up in Boylan heights.  I played Right Guard and he played Left Tackle for the Optimist fotball  team.  We practced football at NC State campus and all our games were at night. Great memories.....That was our first year together at Hugh Morrison Jr Hi 1957.  Great memories and best of times.

Taft Kirk has been my brother-in-law for over 52 years.  Few people know that I am the reason Taft began to run.  It was a spring Sunday morning after church in the mid 70’s and we were at Sue & Taft’s house on Kimbrough Street. Sue and Betsy were all over us about all the things we couldn’t do. I don’t know exactly what words of dare or harm to our manhood that caused Taft and I to bow our backs but all of a sudden, Taft and I were running from Kimbrough Street to Woodstock Drive in Northclift subdivision where Betsy and I lived at that time. Taft was able to dress appropriately with shorts, tank top and tennis shoes. I wasn’t that lucky. I poured myself into a pair of shorts and tank top that Taft had but there were no shoes, nor anything 4E width me. But I was assured by all present that this small fact should not keep me from displaying my manhood.  Off we went, down some back streets, up some other streets, as Taft kept encouraging me to move forward. Someone placed rocks, stones and gravel along the whole way. I stepped on every one of them and constantly jumped up and hollered “hold on Taft”, time after time. I think the pain in my voice was more than Taft could take and between St. Mark’s church and Millbrook Road he left me in the dust. I never saw him again until I reached our house much later. My feet were a mess and I could hardly walk. It hurt to wash them off.  I went to the doctor the next day and found I didn’t break anything but had severe “stone bruises” everywhere on both feet.   

From that day on Taft ran and ran and ran. I never ran again. I don’t even get in a hurry. I bet Taft has light weight tenni-pumps on his feet up there. He probably is jogging down some interesting place just a grinning at not being tired. I hear Sue hollering…. Where’s Taft, where’s Taft???? Calm down Sue, He’ll come floating by after awhile.  See you later my brother.    



I had the good fortune of working with Taft at WithersRavenel in Cary.    Taft was simply a joy to work with and be around.  This was because he was such a good man.   He loved his job, helping everyone make sure plans were delivered on time and sharing great stories and jokes while he worked.   There was no question that Taft loved his wife Sue and his entire family.   My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.   I know you all will miss him greatly and it is obvious to me why you will.   I look forward to seeing Taft again one day, to take a run, share a good story and have a good laugh.

I remember the day Sue & Taft were married.  We all lived on Angier Ave in Raleigh...  the snow was so deep you could hardly drive.  We all lived on a hill but that didn't deter them from getting married.  Friends & neighbors pushed them up the hill so they could get to the service on time. They were together so many years here on earth & now they are together again...  my condolences to all of the family.  
Ginny Young Kellum


I met Taft as a child while he was working with his parents @ Cutler Street Grocery. Our family still crossed paths over the years and our hearts are sadden to hear the news of his passing. May God's grace & mercy be with the family as we join together in prayer for the days ahead. We will miss our talks and going back down memory lane of days gone by. RIP my friend.

OBITUARY

M. Taft Kirk, Jr.

November 4, 1943 – January 28, 2022

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory

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