Lexington – Celebration of Life Services for Dwane Eric Kirkland, 74, will be held 2pm, Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Radius Southside Church. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 3pm until 5pm following the service at the church.

A native of Columbia, Dwane was born February 6, 1951, the son of the late Walter E. and Wilma Trotter Kirkland. He was a member of Southside Baptist Church (Radius Southside) and also attended Mt. Horeb Church in Lexington. He graduated from Olympia High School where he lettered in basketball and football, and Palmer Junior College. He retired from SCANA and was recently employed at South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. He coached baseball for many years at Rosewood Dixie Youth Baseball League. Dwane spent much of his time supporting his son and grandson’s athletic careers, and could be spotted at sporting events all over the state. He was an amazing “girl dad” to his daughter, Toni. He was also a dedicated caregiver to his family, friends, and strangers alike. 

In addition to his parents, Dwane is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Ira and Lizzie Trotter, paternal grandparents, Willie and Laura Kirkland, his daughter, Toni Kirkland Day, brother, Ken Wayne Kirkland, and a niece, Hollye Vaughan. Survivors include, his wife of 55 years, Merrie Kirkland, a son, Kristian Iral Kirkland, three grandsons, Jon-Eric Kyzer Kirkland (Alyssa), Kirkland Lanny Day, and Trotter Fulton Day, sister, Lynn Kirkland Diggle (Bob). He is also survived by special sisters-in-laws, brothers-in-laws, nieces, nephews, great nephews, cousins, and many close friends. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Dwane and his daughter, Toni Kirkland Day’s name, to the American Breast Cancer Foundation, www.abcf.org.