Earl Kirk, Jr.

Earl C. “Smokey” Kirk, Jr., age 90, of Searcy, formerly of Beebe, passed away on June 20, 2026. Born on July 12, 1935, he was the youngest of 11 children of Mona Faye (Turner) and Earl C. Kirk, Sr. A 1955 graduate of Beebe High School, Earl lettered 4 years in football and track and attended ASU Beebe. Earl had a distinguished career as a territory manager for the Frank Lyon Company, where he was a charter member of its Professional Hall of Fame. After the closing of that company, he became an account manager for Whirlpool Corporation until his retirement in 1994. Earl served his country in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1958-1964 in the 489 Engineering Battalion and was activated during the Berlin Wall Crisis in 1961-62.

He and his family worshipped at the First United Methodist Church of Beebe where he served in many different areas including Lay Leader, Chairman of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, and the Steering Committee to rebuild the Church after the 1999 tornado. He assisted with the youth group and was always an usher/greeter. He was a longtime volunteer at the Beebe Christian Outreach Food Pantry and was a Trustee of the Stoney Point Cemetery for over 40 years.

Earl served his family through his love and support and instilled in his children honesty, integrity, and a strong work ethic. Early in life he bought a farm west of Beebe where he could share with his children and grandchildren his love of horseback riding, fishing, and the great outdoors. The trails around the trees were family favorite places for hunting and riding horses and ATVs, and the stocked ponds provided much family togetherness. His love for his children was only exceeded by the joy he felt with the birth of each grandchild.

After his retirement, he and Norma built a second home on Lake Barnett at Floyd where he spent many happy days crappie fishing and entertaining family and friends.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings and their spouses. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 67 years, Norma Barnett Kirk; son and daughter-in-law Keith and Judy Kirk; daughter and son-in-law Kathy and Terry Roe; grandchildren Brandon Roe (Bre), Allen Kirk (Brittany), Audrey Kirk Michael (Collin), and Heather Roe Jenkins; his much loved six great-grandchildren Jenna, Lanni, Kayli, Emberly, Stetson, and Evan; and three great-great-grandchildren, Lilah, Kasen, and Bellamy; as well as other Kirk and Barnett family and friends.

The last three years were spent at Harding Place Retirement Center, where he and Norma made many new friends. The love and support of these friends through prayers, visits, cards, and hugs sustained them through the last few months. A special thank you to Arkansas Hospice for their loving care.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 25 at 9:30 a.m. at Beebe First United Methodist Church followed by a memorial service at 10:30 a.m., with burial in Stoney Point Cemetery immediately following the service. Memorials may be made to Stoney Point Cemetery, P.O. Box 175, Beebe, AR 72012, UAMS Rockefeller Cancer Center, or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home. Online guestbook at www.smithfamilycares.com.