Dale Kirkman

Verlyn Dale Kirkman passed away peacefully at home with his family on Tuesday January 30, 2018 after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.

Dale was born the second child of Dwendin Royal and Mavis Gilbert Kirkman on July 8th, 1941. He graduated from Pocatello High School and began his career as an auto mechanic. He loved building and driving cars and was a member of the Vikings Car Club. He loved drag racing and shared that love with his kids.

In 1960 he met Judy Jensen. After a two-year courtship and engagement, they married in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 8th 1962. They bought their first home and opened a service station, Dale's American Service. A year later in 1963 their first child, a daughter Annette, was born. In 1964 Dale began an apprenticeship with Floors by Ghan. In 1967 a second daughter Michelle ‘Miche' was born. He became a journeyman floor mechanic and in 1969, a third child was born, their first son Richard Dale. In 1971 a second son was born, Mark David. Dale began building a home in 1972. He single handedly did most of the construction with exception of pouring the foundation and running the sewer line. In 1973 their last child, a son Tom Wayne, was born. Dale also opened his own business in 1973, D&J Fashioned Floors. Dale was very skilled in his craft, but the work destroyed his knees and he became a custodian for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1978. During this time he began construction of their second home. During his life he constructed two more large garages and remained active and in great shape. Dale had many talents. He taught himself to paint, he also took photography classes at ISU and became a talented photographer using a dark room he constructed in his home. He retired as a gardener for the Church in 2007. Following retirement, Parkinson's took a toll on his life. In the midst of it all, he remained strong and energetic, and kept his sense of humor. Over the years, he shared his carpentry and automotive skills with his children and was able to drag race with his children.

Dale was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many teaching and leadership positions. Dale served in Bishoprics from 1969 until he was released as a Bishop in 1985. His greatest joy was his family.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Dwendin Leon Kirkman, and a younger sister Darla Dene Mitchell. He is survived by his wife Judy; daughters Annette (Harold) Hargraves and Michelle Kirkman; sons Richard Dale, Mark David, and Tom Wayne (Jodee) Kirkman; 12 grandchildren; 4.5 great grandchildren; and younger brother Ralph Lee (Karen) Kirkman.

Funeral services for Dale will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Gwen Ward LDS Chapel, 1433 Gwen Drive. A viewing will be held Friday evening from 7-9:00 PM at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road, and one hour prior to the services at the church. The interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens.

Memories and condolences may be shared with his family online at wilksfuneralhome.com. The Kirkman family wishes to express a special thanks to Encompass Hospice, especially Amanda ‘Georgie Porgie' and Desiree ‘Bubbles'.