Larry Clifford Kirkland, 69, died with his family by his side Monday after a lengthy illness. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle, a sweet, considerate and gentle man whose absence leaves this world with a little less kindness in it. A longtime member of Greenwood Baptist Church, he was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ; he trusted in the Lord, and we trust that he is now at rest with the Lord.
A lifelong resident of Valdosta, he worked in the heating and air conditioning business for five decades, retiring from Valdosta Mechanical Company, Inc. In South Georgia, that line of work keeps one awfully busy, and there was a time when he might have been the fastest duct man in town; he certainly was one of the best and considered any project he was presented with worth doing well, much to the dismay of anyone hoping to loaf on a job he was running.
Larry was a man of deeds more than words, but those who took the time to learn from his example were better for it. He was loved by cats, including those that were indifferent or downright mean to almost everyone else.
The prevailing theory was that they enjoyed being petted by his rough and calloused working-man hands, but maybe they sensed the good nature of his spirit, too. And he made others laugh — sometimes even intentionally. He struggled with setups and punchlines but had his share of one-liners. No one will miss him more than his sweetheart Debra, his wife of 48 years this month who was always glad the quiet boy with the sweet smile and the nice legs asked her to marry him.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p. Friday, July 10, at Greenwood Baptist E. Park Ave. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.
