Howard Kirkland

Howard Kirkland, 84, of Kansas City, MO passed away July 27, 2012 at home. A visitation will be held at McGilley Antioch Chapel, Sunday, July 29th from 5–7 P.M. Burial will be in Alcoa, TN at Sherwood Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association.
Howard was born February 14, 1928 in Vonore, TN. He grew up on a farm in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee and joined the U.S. Army after two years of high school. He served as a PFC in Germany in the U.S. Occupation Forces from 1946-1949. He returned to Tennessee and finished high school as he had promised Mama Kirkland. There he met Ruth Akins and they were married September 4, 1951. Howard and Ruth followed his sister, Lila, to Kansas City, MO to look for work. Several years later, Howard was joined by his brother Austin and they operated the Western Truck Stop in Liberty, MO. In the early 70's Howard and Ruth owned and managed Howard's Restaurant and Lounge in Kansas City North where they hosted many popular singers from the Kansas City area. When the Woodlands Horse and Dog tracks opened, they built Howard's Trackside Restaurant and Lounge nearby and ran it successfully until their retirement. Howard was well known at the Woodlands and the area casinos. He will be missed by family and friends.
Survivors include Ruth Akins Kirkland, his wife of 60 years; son, Robin (Brenda) Kirkland of Parkville, MO; grandchildren, Chris (Doris) Kirkland of West Plains, MO, Emma Kirkland and Kevin Kirkland of Parkville, MO; great-grandchildren Layne, Jordan, Bryson, and Trent; brothers Austin (Beulah) Kirkland of Vonore, TN, and Franklin Kirkland of Vonore, TN, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.