Gregory J. Dircks May 15, 1955 - November 19, 2012 Gregory J. Dircks, 57, of Bakersfield passed away Monday, November 19th. Gregory was born to the late Phyllis and Lewis Dircks in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on May 15, 1955. Following high school graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1974. He served honorably and with distinction for 20 years, retiring as a Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1994. He was awarded his BS in Healthcare Management from Southern Illinois University in 1993, then earned his Master of Science in Management and Business from National-Louis University in 1997. While stationed in England, Gregory met his wife, Madeleine, a First Class Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy. Gregory and Madeleine married in 1980 in England. Gregory was a proud father of three sons from oldest to youngest: Second Class Petty Officer Stefan Dircks, USN, Ensign Jeremy Dircks, USN, and Benjamin Dircks. Gregory was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, as well as a bowler. He was also a strong advocate for autistic children in Kern County. He was a loyal and great employee at General Production Service in Taft, proud of his five years of service working alongside George Harmer for Charlie Beard and Rusti Risi. Gregory was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Yanecek, and brother, Herb Dircks. Gregory is survived by: brother Jerry and his wife Karen Dircks, brother Tom and his wife Elsie Dircks, sister Karlene and her husband Ron Krueger, the wife of his late brother Herb, Marcia Dircks, and the husband of his late sister Mary, Leonard Yanecek. He is also survived by his father and mother-in-law Marc and Eva Franco, as well as his life long friends Tim and Phyllis Moore and nieces and nephews. Service with military honors will be held on Saturday, December 1st at 2:00 p.m at Greenlawn Cemetery 2739 Panama Ln., reception will follow. www.bakersfield.com/obits
Published in Bakersfield Californian on November 27, 2012
