Dr. Jerry Ross Kirk

Dr. Jerry Ross Kirk, age 94, of Cincinnati OH passed away on March 9, 2026 at his daughter and son-in-law's home, surrounded by his loving wife Patricia and family.

Jerry was born May 11, 1931, in Seattle, WA, beloved second son of the late Douglas and Gladys (Cowden) Kirk. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his only sibling Douglas G. Kirk.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Patricia; sons Timothy (Sally) Kirk and Stephen (Amy) Kirk; daughters Kimberly (Scott) Hahn, Kari (Mark) Harrington, and Kristi (Rob) Holsclaw; 28 grandchildren plus 19 spouses; 66 great-grandchildren plus1 spouse with three great grandchildren on the way.

Jerry was a 1949 graduate of Queen Anne High School where he was a basketball and tennis star. He then attended the University of Washington where he distinguished himself as an orator, a basketball player, and captain of the tennis team. In addition, after a memorable retreat in Colorado with Young Life, Jerry committed his life to Christ and brought that desire to share the Lord to two different Young Life Clubs that he led in Seattle while attending the U.

Jerry was led to pursue his Masters of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and later received honorary doctorates from Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas, and from Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. While in Pittsburgh, he started the first two Young Life Clubs east of the Mississippi. During seminary Jerry met the love of his life, Patricia. They wed in 1956 in Pittsburgh, where he began to pastor at the Mt. Lebanon Pres. Church. He became a senior pastor at the New Wilmington Pres. Church in New Wilmington, PA, and then the College Hill Pres. Church in Cincinnati, OH, for more than 20 years. During this time, Jerry and Patty welcomed five children into their family.

Jerry then left the pastorate to found the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families to fight pornography and to uphold purity and chastity. He later received honorary doctorates from Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas, and from Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. In his later years, he developed the Prayer Covenant, a prayer of commitment shared with millions around the world, drawing people closer to Jesus by committing themselves to the Lord and to following Jesus together. From that, Jerry established Jesus Covenant Prayer Partners which were 8 groups of leaders from the ministry as well as from the marketplace who bound their lives together to meet monthly by conference calls/ Zoom calls to pray for each other and share the word together. He was still involved until February 2026.

Jerry was a beloved husband, father, Papa, and Great-Papa. He led many people to know Jesus and to follow him, both as a wonderful pastor, friend, and a shepherd to pastors. He touched many lives throughout the world and offered comfort, support and wisdom to all. He will be deeply missed.

The Visitation and Memorial Service for Dr. Jerry Kirk will be at Hope Church 4934 Western Row Road Mason, OH Saturday, March 21st. The visitation will be from noon to 3pm with the Memorial Service immediately following. The Service will be streamed live at https://www.hopemason.org/live

Memorial contributions can be made by mail to The Prayer Covenant P.O. Box 281 New Albany, OH 43054 or online using https://theprayercovenant.org/donate/ or by mail to Young Life Frontier Ranch, P.O. Box 2025, Buena Vista, CO 81211 Thank you.

Share tributes with his family at kariharr12@aol.com