Darrell Rex Newkirk, 78, Humboldt, died Friday, April 29, 2011, at Via Christi Regional Medical Center St. Francis Campus in Wichita.
He was born Feb. 3, 1933, in Hartford, the son of Newell C. and Illas M. (Chrisman) Newkirk. He grew up in the Burlington area and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.
On May 25, 1957, he married Dixie F. Stanley at the Christian Church parsonage in Burlington. They made their home in Burlington, where he worked construction with his father and brother and later had his own home construction company, Newkirk Construction. He also worked as a subcontractor for the Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant construction.
In 1985, he started work as a carpenter on the maintenance department for the Kansas State Hospital in Winfield. He retired from that position in 2001 and the family moved from Arkansas City to Le Roy. In 2006, they moved to Chanute and recently moved to Humboldt.
He was a member of First Christian Church of Le Roy; American Legion in Burlington, where he had served as past commander; and the Fraternal Order of Odd Fellows in Burlington. He enjoyed woodworking projects, playing cards and having coffee with his friends.
His wife of 53 years, Dixie, survives; as does a son, Randall and his wife, Cathy, Le Roy; a daughter, Darla Urton, Chanute; a sister, Joyce Brownfield, Le Roy; six grandchildren, Eric Newkirk, Samantha Burgett, Newell Newkirk, Veronica Newkirk, J.R. (Jamie) Urton Spencer and Jessica Urton; and four great-grandchildren, Austyn, Laura, Layla and Dominik.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Willa Grubbs, and three brothers, Merle, Jack and Don.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be announced later.
Memorials may be made to First Christian Church of Le Roy, and left with Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Darrell Newkirk
