James D. Kirker

James D. Kirker, Jr. was bound to become a Marine from birth. No one could've known that from the time they decided to call him Butch his destiny was set in motion. His hairstyle, his manner, and the way he conducted himself through life, it was only natural for him to enlist in the US Marine Corps. While serving two tours as a Combat Aircrewman on the UH-34D "Hercules" helicopter in the Vietnam War from 1963 to 1967 he earned numerous medals including two Purple Heart's wounded in combat, 31 Air Medals, and a Navy Commendation Medal with Valor x2. Each Air Medal is awarded for each set of 20 combat strike flights giving him a total of at least 620 combat strike flights. Dad was a United States Marine through and through. He taught discipline and hard lessons. He taught us to continue expanding our knowledge even when we thought we knew it all, and to use common sense and instincts when knowledge escaped us. He taught us that the right thing to do might be the hardest thing you will ever do in your life. He was a skilled worker in his occupations and hobbies. He worked in the steel mill, and as the mechanic who repaired news paper printing machines. In his off time he repaired vehicles, all kinds of vehicles. He was able to share his knowledge of vehicles as a vocational instructor at the Vocational College. One of my favorite memories was when he was teaching my brother how to assemble an engine from scratch… in the dining room. They were so proud of their masterpiece that they had worked so long and so hard on they couldn't wait to put it in the car. They wheeled the engine on the stand to the garage door only to find out that it wouldn't fit through the door. They had to disassemble part of it to get it into the garage. My happy memory is how many kids get to build an engine from scratch with their dad … in the dining room. His hobbies included home improvement, be it in his home or his family member's homes. Several people will be able to keep him close in their thoughts because he helped make their house, a home. In his later years Dad was an avid enthusiast of old cars, weapons, and old currency. He enjoyed collecting things regardless of whether it carried any value. Dad was an outdoorsman. He liked to fish, hunt and socialize around a campfire. I remember when I was almost a teenager on Friday's we would go fishing at a pier or a dock from dusk till dawn, sleep all day and then get up and do it again Saturday night. We would wade in knee deep water with nets catching live blue crab, which was just about the only "keepers" we caught. But the memory that was made is definitely "a keeper". What I have learned from my dad is that -- when growing up, kids only see what they don't have. As an adult I realized that the things that make me the person I am, are things that I can share, you can feel, but no one can touch, they are the light in the darkness, and they keep people close to me who are so very far away. They are.… love and memories. Cherish them always because in the end, that is all you take with you.