Jack Keith Kirksey, 88, of Sand Springs, passed from this life Wednesday, October 30, 2024. James and Edna Kirksey were blessed with the birth of their first child, Jack, on December 14th, 1935. Jack spent his early childhood in Marietta, Oklahoma and Paris, Texas. At age 12, his parents relocated to Tulsa where his father was employed as the sheet metal foreman on the building of Pan American (Amoco) Research Center, now known as the OU Schusterman Center. Jack's family eventually settled in the Carbondale area of Tulsa where he made numerous lifelong friends. Jack graduated from Daniel Webster High School in 1954. He attended the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship School at night while attending high school and completed his apprenticeship shortly after graduating. He then enlisted in the Army National Guard and was assigned to the 45th Infantry Division. He was very proud to be a Thunderbird.

Jack married his soulmate, Norma Jean Wilson, from Sapulpa, Oklahoma in 1955. They were happily married 55 years until her passing. Jack gave Norma a Boxer pup as a wedding gift, and the family continues their love of Boxers nearly 70 years later. Their marriage was a true and loving partnership supporting one another through good and hard times. Their home had an open door and it was full of laughter and fun. During their retirement years, they attended all their granddaughter's, Krissy, gymnastics and equine events and they traveled the country in their motor homes. Taking their granddaughter with them was their greatest joy. Jack taught her navigation by the time she was 6 years old, geometry when he took her on jobs with him in the summer, and so much more about life. He became her rock.

Jack remarried his high school sweetheart, Shirley Caves Geriet, a graduate of Daniel Webster Class of 1953. For 8 years they enjoyed going out to eat, reunion activities, traveling, and one another's company until Shirley' untimely passing.

Jack's greatest love was his family. He was an amazing and gentle Dad, Papa and Pops. We all have so many fond memories of his numerous stories, wild adventures, deep conversations, invaluable life lessons, cartoons drawn with love, and watching him play with his great grandkids. He was present with all of us. Jack worked hard to ensure we all had the very best. He was the most loyal, ethical and moral man.

Dad was a softie when it came to animals of any kind, except snakes. Snakes were someone else's problem. He was quite the Boxer dog aficionado, developed a deep appreciation for shepherds, held a deep love for God's most majestic creatures, horses and donkeys, thought cats were super cool and entertaining, squirrels were to be trained to eat out of his hand, and as long as they didn't poop on his car, birds were fascinating, especially as their aerodynamics are incorporated into modern flight technology. Trees! No one dare cut down a tree or be caught wildly trimming branches for power lines. They are part of Gods' creations, too. We teased him about being a tree hugger!

It is an understatement to say he loved drag racing. Jack began drag racing in his teens and had one of the first dragsters in the nation. He raced top fuel until his driver was killed in a funny car. Losing Johnny was like losing a son. In his 70's, he lovingly built an antique dragster that he raced and later sold. He tried to attend all the local gatherings and really enjoyed the Cackle Fests. Several years ago he was recognized as a legend in drag racing.

Jack made his living as a master metal craftsman. His specialties were prototypes, antique car restoration requiring body parts formed by hand, race car bodies and chassis, and other intricate hand formed parts. We laughed that the only contraption he never had in his shop was a submarine. Growing up around Dad's shop was an adventure and an education. You never knew who you might meet, from a racing personality to a famous celebrity requesting his artisanship. He knew people from all walks of life.

Jack is survived by his daughter Kimberly Dill, granddaughter Kristen Clemens and husband, Derek, great-grandchildren Rossi Kai, Riley Jean and Roman Jack all residing in Kellyville, Oklahoma. His nephews Keith Crutcher and wife Leigh Ann, Kirby Crutcher, JB Kirksey, and nieces Denise Crutcher, Karla Kyle, Shelly Burnham and numerous beloved family members, which include sister-in-law Peggy Harrison, step-children Stacy Valentine Pierce and husband Clay of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Gary Valentine and wife Julie of Prue, Oklahoma, step-grandchildren Melissa Richmond and husband David, and their children Jude and Lucy, Amanda Bivens and her children Scarlett, Camp, and Wyatt, and Paul Valentine and wife Kari, and their children Charlotte, Everett and Abi, and many good friends.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, wives, sister Charleen Kirksey Crutcher Reid, brother Jim Kirksey, his beloved Boston Terrier, Dominator, and many very loved dogs and horses.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to John 3:16 Mission (john316mission.org), The Boxer Rescue of Oklahoma (tbro.org) or your favorite charity.

Memorial services will be 1pm, Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Red Fork Train Depot, 3770 SW Blvd, Tulsa, OK, 74107. Arrangements are under the direction of Traditions Funeral Home in Kellyville.