Service held for Kirk Francis Mclendon
Kirk Francis McClendon (Bones) made his departure on August 21, 2022, signing off on a life generally well-lived and with few regrets. God broke the mold after Kirk was born to the late Francis Hunter McClendon and Margaret Ruth McClendon on May 22, 1962, in Antlers, Oklahoma at the Pushmataha Hospital. He attended Atoka High School and graduated in 1980. Kirk, with his keen wit and quick mind was always up to mischief with his favorite pastime in life being a prank he could pull often at the expense of his favorite “people”. He had the closest group of “wingmen” who always had his back throughout life and to the end regardless of the practical jokes. Kirk at the age of 14 went to work at Atoka Sale Barn for Dr. McDonald where he practically begged for the job from the “Doc” by telling Doc he would never see another cow escape the headgate if he hired him. It became a personal challenge for Doc to find the meanest and fastest cow to put through the headgate and 10 years and high school passed with this contest enduring.
Kirk then took on a job at the McGee Dam project until that ended and moved him into the oilfield for a short stint. Kirk then worked for Celadon Trucking, driving across the country. Next came Dr. Winsor where he stayed until Dr. Winsor retired. He then went to work for Dr. Pope and in his spare time worked at the family ranch and other neighbors’ ranches. His next adventure was driving the 4B-VX Red Cattle Truck for Jason Griffin which he enthusiastically drove to the very end and joked to his friends about being the “Master” cattle hauler. Kirk asked for his first job but after that there was always a friend or neighbor who had a job waiting for him and that special spark he brought to every new experience.
He was a member of Farris Church of Christ. Kirk loved hunting, fishing, ranching, watching the History Channel, reading, read the complete Bible three times, watching Gun Smoke, and talking on the phone. But his most favorite thing of all was going to the deer cabin in the fall and winter where he and all of his lifelong buddies would get together to catch up and tell jokes.
He is survived by his wife Jill of Farris, son Kiel and Amnieh of Pensacola, Fl, mother Margaret of Farris, sister Vicki and Richard of Dallas, Jonathan Lyde and Billie Jo of Sherman. His father predeceased him on June 26, 2005. Maternal grandparents passed in 1985, 2004. Paternal grandparents passed in 1957, 1993. He is survived by many, many good friends and quite a few who have been more like brothers throughout his life. The family is forever in debt to Bradley Phillips, Chester Hall and Jason Griffin for their enduring love and support throughout all of the trips to and from for his medical care. We couldn’t have done it without you!
A celebration of his life was held August 25 from 6-8 at Brown’s Funeral Home in Atoka at the Friends and Family Night. Service was held August 26 at 10:00 am at the Church of Christ in Farris, Oklahoma with Bro. Floyd Kaiser and Jason Griffin officiating. He was interred at the Farris Cemetery.
Casket bearers were Jason Griffin, Chester Hall, Bradley Phillips, Deer Meadows, Eugene Magby and Darrin Wilkins. Honorary bearers were Ronnie Butler, Truston Munson, Chris Eske, Mike Hembree and Dr. Stanley Pope.
Arrangements were under Brown’s Funeral service of Atoka.
Condolences may be sent to the family by email to: browns@atoka. net. Please reference the name of the deceased in your correspondence.