He was born in Alma, Missouri to Viola Brockhoff and Herman Meyer. His two sisters were also part of the family, Lois Shockley and Vivian Westermann. He spent his early childhood moving around to various places such as Pinebluff, Arkansas and Ashville, North Carolina.
He was unable to join the armed forces because of a heart defect, so he spent four or five years working in a shipyard during World War ll. After the war had ended, Virgil decided to become a Lutheran minister and attended St. John’s college in Winfield, Kansas. He proceeded from there to LCMS seminary in Missouri.
After the third year of his seminary, it was time for him to go out for his vicarage. For this, he was appointed to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas. The Reverend W.W. Stratman was his Bishop.
It was at Bishop Stratman’s house that Virgil saw a picture of his wife, Dorothy, who was away teaching in Kerrville, Texas. Upon meeting her, they started a two year dating relationship which ended in their marriage on July 30, 1950. Virgil enjoyed his final two years at the seminary while Dorothy was teaching at Old Trinity in the slums of St. Louis.
His first call was to Zion Lutheran in Sagerton, Texas where their first daughter, Victoria Ann, was born and baptized. He then received a call to Grace Lutheran Church in Paris, Texas and St. John’s in Clarksville.
The call of the Texas beaches sent Virgil to pastor the church in Texas City, Texas where the family developed their love for the Galveston beach and the seagulls.
Frederick William and Elizabeth Jane were born and baptized in the church at Texas City and carry that love of the beach to this day.
His biggest challenge and achievement was accepting the call to Messiah Lutheran Church in Richardson, Texas. This indeed was a challenge and very successful endeavor as he programmed and led the congregation through four building projects. He saw the church grow into a mighty congregation.
The family enjoyed the Richardson area and benefited from the renowned public schools located there. Virgil made a good friend with Dr. Leslie Conrad and enjoyed the ministerial alliance group in that area. Messiah had many engineers in its membership who were working at the Texas Instruments near by.
After retiring, (but Virgil didn’t retire), he served many congregations all over the area. Including the churches in Denton, Texas and Our Savior Lutheran Church in Dallas. It was here that his grandson, Michael Matthew, was baptized. And perhaps the most enjoying congregation was St. Luke’s in Honey Grove, Texas, where he served for twelve years. It was here that he met Toby Byrd, who has since entered the Lutheran Ministry.
After selling their house in Garland, Dorothy and Virgil moved to Stewart’s Peninsula in The Colony where their daughter, Elizabeth Thomas, lives with her family. Here Virgil continued his love for the game of golf and played with many fine men that he met on the course. Over the years he has played with many Lutheran ministers, which some of you may know like John Allman and Paul Strickert.
Virgil enjoyed making the lawn of his new home beautiful and green. He even enjoyed a flowerbed in the back of his house next to the alley. He often said how he’d take care of the landscape and greenery in Heaven someday.
Virgil and Dorothy enjoyed family and friends on many occasions. And were lucky to have Elizabeth and her family so close by. Every birthday was celebrated in a special way. It was at this time that he celebrated Sarah’s marriage to Drew Bacon, who was active in Afghanistan. Along with the celebration of Jessica’s graduation from the University of North Texas and Samantha’s new endeavor with the restaurant, Edoko.
Even though they’re far away, the Kiviranta’s enjoy visiting their Texas family and are very proud of their son, Michael, who plays softball and is a very good golfer. Victoria has made her imprint on the education in the Palatine area of Illinois, being a principal for thirty years.
His son Frederick was in the Navy and had the honor to sail around the world on the aircraft carrier, Nimitz. Rick and his family now reside in Corpus.
At last “Morning Has Broken” for Virgil.
A Funeral Service will be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 3601 W. 15th Street, Plano, Texas 75075, on Monday, January 19, 2015 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Mike Hafer and Rev. John Elser officiating. Interment will follow at Ridgeview West Memorial Park in Frisco. Family and friends are invited to a Visitation at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Frisco on Sunday, January 18, 2015 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.