Theodore Hartford Kirksey, Jr., “Ted”, passed away at his home on April 22, 2016 after a long illness and a very rich life. Ted was born in Seattle, Washington to Theodore H. and Aline (Brouin) Kirksey. He enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17 serving during World War II from 1945-1947. Ted was recalled during the Korean War where he served from 1948-1951 as an aviation machinist. Ted was very proud of his service to the country he loved. After his military service, Ted took advantage of the G.I. Bill and attended and graduated from San Jose State University. Living in Northern California suited him well. Like Seattle, there was easy access to enjoy water sports or mountains that he could ski. Ted had great appreciation and respect for Mother Nature and all her creatures both big and small. Ted died on Earth Day. During the early years following graduation Ted had several jobs at local companies. This allowed him to "fine tune" his business acumen. In 1961, Ted was offered a job at the prestigious Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, Livermore a.k.a Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. After six months he was "loaned" to Lawrence Radiation Laboratory- Berkeley from which he retired after 31 years of service. During Ted's tenure at LBL, he served as the business manager for the physics department and later retired as the Head of the Technical Information department. During the early 1960's, Ted as member of LBL staff spent several months on Christmas Island where he witnessed some of the last United States Above ground bomb tests. In February 1967, Ted met Janet Greene who worked in the LBL communications department. Later in 1973, they would marry. After 42 years of marriage Ted and Janet could reflect with pride on their two daughters and five grandchildren. Ted was known for his laughter and what was referred to as his "Tedisms". These were somewhat random expressions or sayings he frequently used. No one laughed at these more than Ted. After retirement, Ted and Janet moved to Texas. Within a short period, their two daughters and their families followed. It was at this time Ted said he enjoyed the best job he ever had that of being a grandfather, or Papa as the kids called him. He was so good at this job it seems that in 2007 after the death of his sister-in-law, a young niece joined The Kirksey household. Ted loved to travel and he did it as much as he could. He loved France perhaps because his mother was from Bordeaux, or perhaps because of his love of wine. He traveled to Australia, Russia, Germany, and many more countries and wonderful places and he enjoyed all the people and the different cultures. Ted loved taking the grandkids with him on adventures and never missed an opportunity to provide fun and often random facts. He was a history buff and along with Janet and close friends Kathy and Glen followed the Maginot line. He wandered through ruins in Italy and with Winnie and Clint cruised the oceans. He will miss dearly his friend of eight decades, Louie that he shared many memories. Ted never passed on the opportunity while traveling to taste local beer and wine. Ted was devoted to his family as they were to him.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Janet Greene Kirksey; daughters Laura Lowell Lasseter of Whitethorn, California, Amy Gill and her husband Dan of Frisco, Texas; granddaughters, Taylor Jeannette Gill and her husband Clayton Stroup, Maddison Louise Lasseter, Zoie Janet Lasseter, and Sydney Jo Gill, grandson, William Theodore Gill , brother-in-law, Stephen Greene and wife Carmen of Corte Madera, California, Sisters-in-law, Julie Thompson of Richmond, Virginia and Joyce Boyajan of Lake Tahoe, California; nieces Sabrina Bratt, Brooke Thompson, Alexis Boyajan, Natalie Boyajan and nephews Skyler Greene and Bradley Thompson.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore H. Kirksey and Aline Brouin sisters, Jeannette Conway and Helen May, in-laws, Joseph and Katherine Greene, Joey Greene, and Jennifer Greene Bratt as well as many of his pets.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, April 29, 2016 at the Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel in Allen, Texas.
A private family burial with military honors will be held at the DFW National Cemetery, Dallas, Texas, later that day.
Family and friends are invited to the funeral home at their convenience on Thursday to pay their respects and to sign the register book. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m.