James Kirk

Monmouth - ""Saturday Evening Post" best magazine on the coast; only a nickel, half a dime, keeps you reading all the time." With this ditty, Kirk, age 4 began his lifelong career as a "salesman" when he and his older brother delivered newspapers and sold magazines in the neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

Leo James Kirk was born July 17, 1925, in Whittier, CA, to Esther Moscowitz Kirk and to Heagle James Kirk. He is one of Pacific Northwest's most beloved and prolific artists whose work is featured in numerous public and private collections throughout the United States. A long time Oregon resident, he had a lengthy career in public and private school art education. Students will recall his quick wit and eagerness to encourage them based on his personal philosophy that "everyone can learn to draw, provided one is willing to learn to see." He began his teaching career in Oregon at Oregon College of Education, Monmouth, in 1963, saw the school change names two times, and retired 25 years later as Professor Emeritus of Art from Western Oregon University. He continued to teach art education for the next 10 years at Oregon State University, Corvallis, and is fondly considered a mentor and friend by numerous artists and teachers.

Having celebrated 95 years of art and life, Kirk's path towards becoming an artist is rich with stories. He spent his early days in Southern California. He served during WWII in the Coast Guard as a radarman aboard US Navy ships where most of his action took place in the Pacific Theater. While aboard the USS Hunter Liggett he participated in the invasions of Guadalcanal and Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. He served on the USS Burlington, a patrol frigate, on missions up and down the coast of New Guinea.

Upon his honorable discharge in 1945, he took advantage of the GI Bill to advance his education. Numerous placement tests revealed high scores in persuasion-- a salesman. He intended to study accounting, but a wise professor told him, "If I could draw like you, I would major in art." He graduated from Washburn University, Topeka, KS, with a BFA and later earned a Masters of Arts from Colorado State College, Greeley, CO. He interviewed for his first teaching position in a Kansas funeral parlor and was hired. Kirk loved teaching, always claiming that a good teacher had to be a good salesman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lewis, his beloved daughter Susan Kirk Davalt (Michael), and the mother of his children Joan Boylan. He is survived by his daughters Linda Kirk Fox (Wayne), Watkinsville, GA, and Nancy Kirk MacGregor (Gil), Portland, and by his wife of 47 years Alice Trower Kirk.

At this time we shall hold no celebration. The family requests donations in his name be sent to the Dan and Gail Cannon Art Scholarship fund at Western Oregon University, Monmouth, or to Covid relief programs or food banks of your choice. As Kirk would say, "Over and out." Bollman Funeral Home in Dallas, Oregon is caring for the family. To leave an online condolence or to share a memory with the family go to www.bollmanfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Statesman Journal from Feb. 5 to Feb. 7, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for James Kirk

Sponsored by Bollman's Tribute Center.

14 Entries

Rene Riback

April 17, 2024

What can I say that hasn't already been said about Mr. Kirk . . . he was a mentor, a teacher, and one that always pushed you beyond limits you never knew you owned. One minute he was praising you and the next he was demanding that you weren't working hard enough. You never knew what to expect him to say when you passed each other in Campbell Hall, but you could always expect a shared greeting and a smile as he always walked 'with purpose' onto his next mission.

So what made me think of him today, 4 decades and 3 years after his death . . . my paintbrushes. As a student, his list for supplies was extensive, but whether it was a child's Crayola paint box or sable Grumbacher brushes, you bought what he told you to buy even when it meant eating more ramen when the brushes were $50-150/ea. I never grew up to be the artist he thought I would be, but my art has always emerged thru sewing, computer graphics, craft projects, layouts in written reports, and in every home I have lived . . . but I still have those paint brushes. And today they still serve me well in well-worn, well-loved, totally usable condition. And every time I use them, look at them, they remind me of you, Mr. Kirk.

Today's students don't know what they have missed by not having you there. I was very blessed to have you for 5 years of college, as did most of the students who have also written below. Thank you for sharing the gift of you, and your talent with all of us. You are so missed. - Rene

Gary Michael and Carolyn Tomei

November 23, 2022

We think of Mr. Kirk when we sit in the room in which we are writing this email, and we gaze at the 2 portraits he did of the two of us. We cherish them as we do of our fond memories of the artist.
Carolyn Tomei and Gary Michael

Mark Kershner

June 27, 2022

Mr. Kirk, as I always called him , was a close family friend, and the Best College professor I had! A few years ago he helped me find a great telephoto lens for my Nikon. He inspired so many artists to reach their full potential . Photography is still one of my greatest joys! All his students (if they were wise) trusted his extensive knowledge of Art. His teaching style was easy going and relaxed, no pressure, thankfully. As an exercise He encouraged us to take the most unflattering pictures of him possible . However I was able to snap a few very flattering pictures of him without him knowing. Before College I dated two of his daughters. I remember the first time Linda pointed out her father in a small crowd one evening (before I met Him) He was wearing blue jeans!, I remember thinking what a young, cool father she had. Anyway In recent years he was extremely happy, married to delightful, Alice. His first wife was a pip too! I had moved to Texas just before James passed, and only last week got the sad news. However, as long and full and wonderful as his life was , there are more happy feelings than anything else. I loved the man , and I am pretty sure he knew it! Here's a picture of the painting he did of my remarkable father Roger P. Kershner, talk about your art treasures!!!

Kathy Burger

June 16, 2021

James Kirk was a favorite art instructor of mine in the 1970’s at OCE and I was very saddened when I learned of his death today. He was a beautiful artist and had a beautiful soul. I treasure the one watercolor I have of his and it always floods my heart with memories as I pass it (today my heart is drowning). He will surely be missed by all who ever knew him!

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Dean Marek

March 10, 2021

"James Kirk, not of the Enterprise"!
It is not an overstatement that because of this wonderful man I made it through college as an athlete/art major! He was always supportive and encouraging. And a good friend and mentor for the 40 years since! He would always ask me "How's my favorite student?" If I said "Fine" he'd say "How do YOU know?" lol!
I have a small collection of his art that I bought from him directly from his studio.... he was having a " Going out of art" sale!
RIP Mr. Kirk, over and out!

Dean Marek OCE '77 retired art teacher

Dorothy Wieand

February 19, 2021

I’m so sorry for your loss Alice, Tish and I are so blessed to have had James in our life as a teacher and friend. We will hang on to the memories forever. Dorothy

Mary Reed

February 11, 2021

My name is Mary Reed and Mr. Kirk was both my advisor and art teacher during the three years I studied at OCE in the late 1970s. I can't even begin to articulate the large impact he had on my learning and love of art! He guided and nurtured his drawing and photography students in an enthusiastic and often funny way. I still follow and believe in what he taught, that most of creating art is learning how to see: he helped me to do that and I will always be grateful for that. I am sorry to hear of his death.

Jacqueline McCormick

February 9, 2021

Dear Alice, So sorry to hear about your loss. Sending my warm regards at this difficult time.

Jim Birken

February 9, 2021

I will miss James. I used to visit with him as a former faculty member of WOU to solicit donations in support of the college. We used to reminisce together about our times in West Los Angeles. I loved his watercolor nudes, but bought one of birch trees as my name translates to birch. I used to see him on his large tricycle at the Monmouth Post Office.

Sue Thompson

February 8, 2021

Dear Alice,
This is Sue Thompson, I worked in the COE for over 20 years, I am so sad that this world has lost such a bright light, James would shine wherever he went. He was such a character, humorous and grounded, and I dearly loved him. He had so much energy and love for life. He made such an impact on so many teachers, who he taught to look at the world with gentle eyes, and treat their students with respect.

I started teaching at OSU in 1988 and when I would talk with my students about what I believed about young students and how they learn, they used to say to me, you need to meet James Kirk, you say the same things about what is important to children... I would say we need to go back to basics and the basics were art, dance, music, things that come naturally to young children.

The students were telling James the same thing, and one day I was teaching a language arts class, and this man walked and sat at the back of the class, I had no idea who he was, he introduced himself at the end of the lesson and we remained in contact for many years. I loved going to his art shows. When I went back to teaching children for a year, he came and did some art techniques with my 3rd graders. Such a good and gentle soul! As well as a fabulous artist. He will truly be missed. I hope you are well Alice, my thoughts are with you and your family❤

Curtis Culp

February 8, 2021

I met Mr. Kirk 49 years ago as a student in high school and then later attended OCE as an undergraduate. He was an instructor but also a friend sharing the same compassion for art. I am sorry for the family’s loss. He will be greatly missed.

Rebecca McCannell

February 8, 2021

Dear Alice,
I'm so sorry for your loss. James was a spirited and funny person and I always enjoyed visiting with both of you at art gatherings over the years. His obituary was heartwarming and really captured the joy and salesmanship that James brought to everything, from talking people into modeling for him, to promoting the arts. It was nice to learn a lot more about his early years, too! And thank you for thinking to encourage donations to the Cannon art scholarship funds at WOU. We really appreciate that and I'll be making a donation in his honor, myself!

Carol Baumann

February 7, 2021

I had the pleasure of teaching with James in the days of OCE. I remember him especially for the joy he took in teaching. He had a big heart.

Jim Bartlett

February 6, 2021

I have very fond memories as Mr. Kirk helped me through “Art Education “ class while I was an undergraduate at OCE. He was a great educator, always encouraging and a fine man. Sorry for your loss.

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