Carl Kirts

1944 - 2025

Carl Kirts, 81, of Warrensburg, Missouri, passed away on October 19, 2025. He was born on May 29, 1944, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Willis D. Kirts and Opal (Ring) Kirts. He graduated from Odessa High School, Odessa, MO and worked on the farms in the community. During Jr. High and Highschool, Carl spent several summers working with his father; learning many things from him, and enjoyed working with heavy machinery. He had worked in an ice cream shop, memorizing and enjoying all the flavors. After his graduation in 1962, he served in the US Army as NCOIC Heavy Equip Eng SGT., CWO Helicopter Pilot. In 1970-1976, Carl attained BS ED, MS ED IA&T from Central Missouri State University. He was a High School Teacher in Kingsville, Missouri and Germany. In 1982, he attended Andre' Pilate's Race Driving School at Zolder International Grand Prix Race Course. Racing professionally as a Grand Prix Circuit Race Driver, and quickly moving up the ladder to Formula II racing automobiles, his last race was 1000KM at Nurburgring, Germany. With 76 cars and 150 drivers competing to win, Carl qualified 26th with the 3rd fastest time in the rain of all drivers competing. From 1976-1984, he was a High School Teacher at the Department of Defense Dependents Schools at Hahn US Air Force Base in Germany. The school was so new that he established, opened, and instructed their first Automotive Technology shop, Small Engine Repair shops, and instructed several other classes as the Head, Department for Career Education. During 1984-1987, he was GS-11/12 Instructor for 21st SUPCOM, Kaiserslautern, Germany. Later, he also worked for KORDAULIT in Ukraine.
In 2006, he retired from teaching as Industrial Arts & Technology Instructor, Smith-Cotton HS, Sedalia, MO. During his retirement, he enjoyed spending his time with family, travelling, visiting his friends, watching races and movies, and working on his property. He was always looking forward to starting new projects.
Carl was united in marriage to Yuliya Vasylyeva on May 23, 2001, in Sumy, Ukraine. He was a devoted husband, father, and brother who loved his family deeply.
He is survived by his wife, Yuliya; his children, Arthur Kirts and Elizabeth Kirts; and from his first marriage with Danielle Catherine Samson Kirts, his two children, Claudia Roulhac and David Kirts; grandson, Dominic Roulhac; two great-grandchildren, Daxt and Zia Roulhac; one brother, Howard Kirts; and two sisters, Karen Vaught and Linda Kirts. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Otis Kirts and Gene Kirts.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025, at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will follow at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville.