A memorial service for Kirk Steven Brown, 61, of Beaumont will be held on Thursday, January 2, at 2:00 p.m. in the Claybar Kelley-Watkins Chapel with Dr. Jim Fuller officiating. A reception will follow in the family center of Calder Baptist Church, 1005 North 11th Street.
Kirk was born June 7, 1952 in Beaumont and died Tuesday, December 24th, 2013 in Beaumont after a short illness. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Sam and Melba Falcon and his father Zach Brown. He is survived by his mother Shirley Falcon Brown, his sister Lynne Brown and countless friends he would identify as his family.
Many people collect things but Kirk collected friends. Friendships he would begin at Edwards Elementary and maintain his whole life. He would create an extended family that will miss him like one of their own.
Kirk was a devoted family man. He had a special bond with his grandfather, Sam and spoke often about memories of him. Kirk was also close to his mother, this relationship was a friendship rooted in family and continued up to his death. Holidays were devoted to family. Aunts, Uncles and Cousins would gather and catch up. These gatherings would often take place at the beach cabin, an important place that Kirk and his family would share with many friends as well. Though Kirk had no children of his own, his friends were always happy to share theirs with him. He was a constant influence in their lives, even as they had children of their own, further expanding the children in his life.
At Austin Middle School, Kirk began what was thought to be a promising athletic career. He received the All District medal in Discus, the only for the schools Track Team. He further distinguished his public school career at French High School with the "Ugliest Man" Trophy.
Kirk began his affiliation with the Boy Scouts around the age of eleven, attending his first camp out and at least one of his fellow campers is a friend today. Boy Scouts continue to occupy Kirk's time through adulthood. Countless young boys were fortunate to have him as director of their summer camp, a job that continued several summers while he taught school.
The Church was an important part of his life. He forged countless relationships here as well as his spiritual life. Friends of North End Methodist Church will have great memories of Kirk's participation in a rendition of the Blues Brothers "Rawhide." Kirk's size and happy disposition made him a shoe in for Santa at church functions. He transformed many Christmases for Wesley Methodist children even though for his many young friends the gig was up when they recognized Uncle Kirk as jolly St. Nick. On a mission trip to Mexico, Santa's tears were evidence that he gained more from the experience then the children he surprised. So many of the youth of Wesley Methodist have only wonderful memories of Kirk as a mentor.
Kirk worked as a retail clerk at Gibson's, a tobacco salesman (a job he hated), an exterminator, and a steamship agent before finally finding his true calling as a teacher, graduating from Lamar University. Kirk taught at Price Elementary, Eugene Fields and was presently teaching at Dishman Elementary School- where he taught since the school was first opened. His students found a patient educator and a friend for life. Many students continued to keep Kirk appraised of their milestones, which made Kirk proud, and they are much richer for having known him. Kirk's fellow teachers found a tireless professional and friend they could count on. Kirk was active in the ATPE and held numerous offices on the local and regional level and was on the Board of Directors from 2007- 2011. Kirk never shied away from an issue, addressing them professionally and often humorously. In 2011, he gave the nominating speech for a friend running for State Secretary. Though public speaking was hard for Kirk, a friend needing a favor was more important than his fear.
His final lesson to all of us, in his full life cut short, is the true value of new and old friends, "one is silver and the other gold." His extended family of friends is too many to count among his survivors but this wonderful man was a friend when anyone needed one. It is hard to imagine a world without Kirk Brown and it is no coincidence that Kirk's home is filled with hundreds of model giraffes, the land animal with the largest heart. “One lives in hopes of becoming a memory.”
In lieu of flowers, friends may direct memorial contributions to the Kirk Brown Memorial Fund, Dishman Elementary School, 3475 Champions Drive, Beaumont, TX 77707 or to the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, 2050 Spindletop Ave, Beaumont, TX 77705.