Kirk Gene Cullumber

Emporia- Kirk Gene Cullumber, 68, died February 15, 2026, at Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, Missouri. He was born May 16, 1957, in Greensburg, Kansas, the son of Berkley Gene “Bruz” and Jaqueline Jean “Jackie” Cullumber. Kirk graduated from Greensburg High School in 1975. He had lived in Greensburg, Sterling, Colorado, Rawlins, Wyoming and Emporia, Kansas. He was employed by Williams Natural Gas Company, which later became Southern Star Gas Company. On October 20, 1984, Kirk married Teresa Faye Westerman. She preceded him in death December 18, 2019. He is survived by one son Cole (Maggie) Cullumber, Lawrence, Kansas, two daughters Cecelia (Andy) Mikesell, Rawlins, Wyoming, and Kara (Jasen) Mangrum, Overland Park Kansas, his partner Rolinda Meek, Emporia, five grandchildren Cora Cullumber, Maryn Mangrum, Tristin, Emilee and Jessalyn Mikesell, and one brother Van Cullumber, Honolulu, Hawaii. He was also preceded by his parents Bruz Cullumber and Jackie Endicott, a sister Krin Walters and a grandson Trevor Mikesell. Kirk was a man who felt most at home outdoors, whether he was fishing, hunting, searching for arrowheads, or planning the next trip somewhere new. He loved live music and looked forward each year to the summer shrimp boil at Lake Kahola that brought everyone together for jam sessions and endless margaritas. A hardworking and incredibly capable man, he could fix just about anything and had a sharp mind for money and finances. He was a great communicator who kept in touch with everyone always reaching out with a call, a story, or funny video. Many people will miss his random text or Facebook message at all hours or the day or night. He enjoyed quiet moments with a Sudoku puzzle or a competitive game of Othello, and he was known for his stubborn, hard-headed streak and quick temper—traits that were matched by a playful sense of humor and a lifelong love of pranking anyone and everyone he could. In the last six months, nothing brought him more joy than his two new surprise granddaughters- Maryn and Cora, who quickly became the light of his life. Funeral Services and Celebration of Kirk’s life will be 10:30 am Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Champions Landing, Emporia, Kansas, with Pastor Dennis Irwin officiating. Burial will follow in Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia. Memorials are suggested to The Hereditary Neurological Disease Centre, Wichita, Kansas, in care of Fleener Funeral Home, PO Box 41, Greensburg, KS 67054-0041.