Joe Kirkham, Jr.

Services for Mr. Joe Kirkham, Jr. will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Arcadia with Rev. Sarah Ingram officiating the services. A burial will follow at Ebenezer Cemetery in Bienville, LA. Visitation will be held on Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. 

Joe was born April 11, 1938, in Bienville Parish to Elzie Kirkham and Lois Ables Kirkham. He entered into rest on January 15, 2024, in Monroe, Louisiana. Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1962, where he proudly served for 4 years. He started his military career with his unit 11 Bravo, which specialized in light weapons. Joe was also an expert marksman and served with the rifleman’s team. Joe was stationed at Ft. Chaffee, Ft. Leonard Wood, Ft. Knox, and Camp Kaiser in Korea, where he was a tank driver. After serving his country, Joe returned to Louisiana where he worked as a Union Boilermaker/Welder. He was a hard worker all his life and instilled his work ethic in his children. He was a member of North Hodge Church of God, and a member of the American Legion in Minden. Joe loved fishing, hunting and watching college football and basketball. Joe especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be missed by all those that knew him.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents Elzie and Lois Kirkham, wife Mander Kirkham, and by his siblings Bernice Ray Kirkham, Ezelle Kirkham, Billy Roy Kirkham, and Glen Kirkham.

Left to cherish his memory is his son Roy Kirkham, daughter Joy Kirkham, grandchildren Manda Miller and husband Michael, Melinda Tyrrell and husband Nate, Kayla Boasso, and Cody Kirkham, great grandchildren Daniel, Aleigha, Nadilynn, Malorie, Michael, Memphis, Nya, Maddox, and Macie, and by numerous other nieces, nephews, and other loving family and friends.

Honoring Joe as pallbearers will be Michael Miller, Nate Jordan, and Daniel Sonnier.