Edward Romph Kirkland

KIRKLAND, EDWARD ROMPH, a prominent Orlando attorney, died Monday, November 26, 2012 at Winter Park Memorial Hospital. He was 89. Ed was born on March 16, 1923 in Coral Gables, FL. He was one of six children born to George and Ruby Kirkland. His father was a well-respected real estate developer in Dade County and a long time supporter of the University of Miami Hurricanes. Ed was a flight instructor and combat fighter pilot for the US Army Air Corps in World War II. On March 18, 1945, while commanding a formation of the 371st Fighter Group, his P-47 Thunderbolt was hit by concentrated flak fire near Birkenfeld, Germany. He was forced to bail out and was subsequently captured and held as a POW by a German patrol. Although wounded, he managed to escape and made his way through enemy lines and rejoined his unit. Following the war, Ed attended the University of Miami and received his law degree from Stetson University. In 1951, Ed was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. He had an illustrious 50 year career as a very respected, feared and sought after criminal defense attorney. His courtroom intellect and theatrics are legendary. In 1968 he successfully presented a case to the United States Supreme Court. Ed was also a very talented golfer. Among many other prestigious wins, in 1963, Ed won the 46th annual Florida State Men's Amateur Golf Championship. One of his best golfing memories was beating Sam Snead out of $800. He was elected into the Stetson University Sports Hall of Fame. Ed is survived by his wife Patricia Ann Kirkland, his sons John Russell Kirkland and Robert Edward Kirkland, his daughter Julia Russell Taylor and seven grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 5:00 PM, on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at Asbury United Methodist Church, 220 W. Horatio Avenue, Maitland, FL. As a very proud and supportive US Veteran, in lieu of flowers Ed would prefer a donation be made to Wounded Warriors at
woundedwarriorsfamilysupport.org.