This year (2010) I lost my best friend. We often learn of death with calls from old friends who seem to be calling randomly. Kirk's brother had called me at odd times in the past. Those calls were often touching base and making sure everyone was ok after major hurricanes hit the area we lived in. I first heard of Kirk's death with a call from his brother. The news, like the call itself hit me from 'out of the blue'. In disbelief I found myself saying “I just talked to him last week” and thinking this can’t be happening. As more details about his death were learned, my mind accepted that he died, yet my heart was slower in doing so. I knew he had died, but I did not realize he was "gone". Even now, a little over two months later, it is still hard to accept. I am still working through his death. My brother told me that evening, “A friend is a special gift. You never know where you will find them, they just appear like the special gift that they are”. I found comfort in his words. That comfort helped me through the days afterwards. He himself had recently lost his best friend, Danny. He knew first hand what a loss it was.
Our friendship lasted over 25 years. Even now, when I see that number, it is hard to grasp that we were friends for a quarter century. He enjoyed life and encouraged others to do so as well.
Kirk Duane Smith 1958-2010
Kirk with one of my sons
Kirk's preferred baseball hat was always 'old school'. Preferably the Colt .45's, which were the forerunners of the Astros. When those were not available, he went for the old school Astros with an H in the middle of the star.
The school emblem of Sam Rayburn High School which adorned the entryway into the school.
The Sam Rayburn High School Team was known as the Texans.
The Rocking Radio emblem of KLOL which was popular when Kirk was in High School
Some of Kirk's favorites: The Killer B's
University of Houston at Clear Lake, where Kirk received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. The large sculpture is part of the legacy of Dr. Cal Cannon's time at the University. Dr. Cannon served as a professor at the campus when Kirk attended ther
The infamous GIlley's bumper sticker which was pasted on your car if you did not know the secret to not have them put it on.
Kirk in 1974.
Entrance to the Black Dragon, a popular ride at Astroworld when Kirk visited the amusement park (which no longer exists).
We are here to honor Kirk Duane Smith, his life and virtures. Although he did not poses a title like his forebearer, Sir McCartney, he was a noble man filled with noble virtures, which we, and the world need.
He was passionate in what he loved, even to the point of overwhelming people at times. Some of his friends referred to these moments as “the whirlwind of Kirk”. In the heat of passion, one could not talk over him.
One of his strongest passions was the Astros, whom he praised or cursed depending on the standings. There were seasons he supported the Oilers, but his “true blue” love was the Astros, whether on TV or through Milo Hamilton on the radio. He wore his passions on his sleeves and an old school Astros hat on his head (By the way, they were hats-not “lids” as used in modern vernacular).
Anyone who tried watching a movie or game with him could attest to his passions. There were no PC-sensitivities with him. He was “up front” with his passions. Like his raucous parrot, you knew Kirk was there and what his passions were.
He was loyal-to his teams, his friends, his family and his country. His loyalty knew no bounds even to opening his heart, home and wallet to those he cared for. Mike Willer can testify to the comfort of his ‘couch and quilt’. He remained true through hurricanes, moves, divorces and changing times. He could be counted on day or night, especially late nights waiting for MTV to playa Go-Go’s song.
He was loyalty to his values friend, family and his bird-defending and protecting them against all comers and critics, except him of course. Loyalty is a truly noble characteristic in a time when the world is filled with ‘Plastic People’.
He was respectful. He respected each of us in our quirks He often let us get weird and welcomed us back when we were our ‘old selves’. He was someone you could come back to. He respected the traditions and values of his forefathers. It was evidence that he had (as we say in the South)-“good raisin”. We saw the fruits of Richard and Vivian’s investment in him. He was mannerly to wives and parents. He might tell a story that embarrassed you, but he would respect your wife, kids and parents. No one can recall him telling an off color joke or story where your children or wife could hear it. Aking to this was his reverence for the sacred and his love of God. I have no doubt that he is swapping stories with Jesus about friends they hold dear.
Kirk loved life. He drank deep from the cup of life and wonder. He always enjoyed a good laugh, even if it involved ‘ragging’ on people in fun. He enjoyed the Marx Brothers, Danny Kaye, Monty Python, Jerry Lewis, John Candy and Steve Martin. In high school, you could count on Monday being filled with stories and skits from Saturday Night Live or Second City TV recounted in their entirety. Routines like “Bassomatic’, “catch it you keep it’, “The Lumberjack Song”, or “Trough and Brew” had something that would bring a smile to your face.
He also turned simple everyday tasks like requesting “I want a Coke!”, “Drrrr. Pepppper” or asking for a piece of cake into humor filled events. My sons enjoyed Kirk’s stories and listening to his routines over take out from Chan’s Chinese food. “You like-a theKung Pao Chicken?? The Chicken is good!”
He instilled a love of history into all who knew him. Those who spent hours playing board games were not wasted. They were living investments in people’s lives where Napoleon, Marshall Ney, George Patton, Neville, Percy and John Bell Hood were entwined with Ralls Lee, Larry Smith, Chris Menzel, Mike Willer, Shane Lee and myself. We bonded on boards and battlefields learning the importance of “a bishop and a boat”. All the while, listening to the Beatles, Jethro Tull or Al Stewart.
Today his is with many of those legendary Christian leaders. Rather than sipping brandy while joking about “having a nippy with Nappy” He is swapping stories with them.
Gaming was serious. From adventurous trips to a dilapidated trailer with an impressive name of “Kriegsbarat und Eisenworks” to letting himself into my home while my parents were gone and I was at work in order to play a game.
His influence was not limited to friends and family. He touched the lives of countless troubled kids who had been failed by traditional schools. He touches lives in hospitals and classrooms’ Students were amazed at this teacher who actually cared about them. “Finally someone who treated them like a person rather than a number”.
I recall a cold damp October morning standing on the filed of Waterloo with my sons wishing Kirk was there to share the stage with us. ‘He’ would know where the old guard fell, where the Scots Greys rode and where Wellington stood.
Add to these honesty and a love of people. He also had a way of making things simple. Like recognizing that a fancy pasta dish “was just noodles”. He told me the simple truth that ‘people want to know about people’. Which has steadied me well. Now you know about the person of Kirk Smith.
Kirk was noble and worthy of honor. In a day filled with un-noble men, he was honest, loving, inspirational, loved life, respected others, loyal and filled with a passion for life. We can learn from his example and add more to our lives. You can see why I chose him as my best man as I hope you do as well.
School Years
We first met in Pasadena, Texas when attending fifth grade elementary school at Golden Acres Elementary in the late 1960’s. It was an old school with wooden floors and a musty smell. In those days, the Principal was still allowed to paddle children, and discipline was strict. Although we had different teachers, we rode the same bus to and from school. The bus rides were filled with discussions about music and what we had recently heard on the radio. In those days, the Beatles were still together and making music which we enjoyed talking about.
Kirk was very much into baseball. He was the catcher for a team known as the steers. He enjoyed the whole baseball experience, with the opening day parade down Southmore Avenue in Pasadena, the team portraits and all that went with it. I am not sure if that is where his love for the Astros developed, but I am sure there is a connection. I went to some of his games, where I was introduced to frito-pies which consisted of bags of fritos chips sliced open and covered over with chili and cheese. Most of the baseball games in Pasadena occurred at a sports complex, which had several baseball fields combined with one concession stand, often manned by parental volunteers.
When sports were not in season, we often played board games, or explored parts of the neighborhood which were not developed at that time. In those days, there were rabbits and small wildlife to hunt with BB guns, even in Pasadena. We also enjoyed the typical boyhood fun of firecrackers and bottle rockets. Once we were caught by a Pasadena Police officer which was a harrowing experience. Despite our run-in with the law, shooting off fireworks always brought a smile to our faces, especially when it involved throwing them into the porta-potty occupied by his older brother. There was also the joy of aiming bottle rockets in the expansion joints to shoot down the streets.
The next year, 1971, we began Junior High School, at Park View Intermediate, which was a whole new world. Since there was no school football for sixth-graders, we each played for the Pasadena Recreation Department. On those teams, fathers and older brothers often served as coaches in teaching us the fundamentals of football. Since we were on separate teams, we looked forward to when we played against each other. We engaged in the typical trash talk about how each of our teams was better than their team.
Junior High School also brought with it bullies, adolescent girls and more adventures. In those days, there were still dress codes which were firmly enforced. We discovered a new kind of board games which re-enacted military battles made by Avalon Hill. The games fascinated us and we spent hours playing those games. Any spare lunch money or allowances were spent purchasing those games. It started with Blitzkrieg, Panzer Blitz, Waterloo and others. They had many multi colored cardboard pieces which were moved in various military maneuvers. Besides the hours spent playing, we also spent many hours arguing over the rules. Each new game was a new experience, and a new awareness of some portion of history which we had not been aware of. The next few years were known as the golden age of board gaming. At the time, we just enjoyed playing them, never knowing that it would be something people would talk about years later.
Kirk also introduced me to many films and actors which I had not been aware of. He introduced me to the Marx Brothers. Their films were shown on the late show, which was followed by the late, late show. Kirk loved laughing at their antics. Although we often watched the Three Stooges, which aired in the morning, the Marx Brothers were a special treat. He also like the comedians Danny Kaye, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis and Peter Sellers. Although I never enjoyed the Danny Kaye movies like he did, it did not stop him from laughing at their antics.
His love of comedy also included the popular comedians of the day. When Bill Cosby came out with a new record, he was often one of the first to obtain a copy. The really risqué humor was that of George Carlin with his seven words you can't say on radio or if you are really risky, listen to Cheech and Chong. Everyone talked about and recited their routines at school. I remember when he purchased Big Bambu and us listening to their routines. Teenagers often listened to phonograph albums of comedians, since there was nothing like YouTube then. Kirk was one of those who could recite the routines at school and have those around him laughing in no time.
The search for new comedy eventually led to the discoveries of the ‘not ready for prime time players’ when they were still on the radio. They were often on Sunday nights as part of the King Biscuit Flour Hour or the National Lampoon Radio Hour (which ran from November 1973 thru December 1974). Kirk would howl at hearing the routines like “Catch it you keep it” where the characters dropped object from a tall building and described the efforts of those trying to catch the items below. Late night radio often held many hidden gems. Kirk was often entertained by the disc jockeys at KLOL. They often sounded stoned and did some weird things on the radio. One DJ that we often joked about was called “Crash” (Maurice Collins). Who could forget "Crash in your dash". When the equipment was not working, crash lived up to his name and began pounding on it in an effort to get it to work. Since he sounded so out of it, we thought it was funny.
During those days many of the radio stations had good comedy in the mornings. Radio teams like Hudson and Harrigan and Stephens and Pruett were known for their comedy routines. Kirk did his part to spread the humor of those morning routines to everyone he came in contact with. At that time, radio stations still issued compilations of the best songs of each year on albums.
Kirk was a fanatical sports fan. He loved the Oilers and the Astros. When the oilers were in their heyday starting in the mid 1970’s, led by Bum Phillips and quarterbacked by Dan Pastorini, Kirk lived and died by the performance of his Oilers. He praised them and cheered them when they were doing good, but cursed and ranted when they let him down.Years later when I finally met Dan Pastorini in Chapell Hill, I thought of Kirk and those years that he admired him.
Besides the Oilers, he loved the Astros. Spending a spring or summer evening at his home often included listening to Milo Hamilton (the voice of the Astros) calling the game. Being a true fan, he was always wearing his Astros hat. Most of the time it was also accompanied by a jersey of either the Astros or the Colt 45’s which were the original team. His enthusiasm was contagious, cheering on his team anytime they had a winning streak. When they were winning he was on top of the world, when they lost, Kirk was equally passionate, screaming and yelling at the referees or whoever he blamed for the loss.
Kirk also played football himself in Junior High and High School. The local team was the Sam Rayburn Texans, where he played all four years he attended under the coaching leadership of Coach Charlie Lyles. In those days, letter jackets were reserved for the athletes, and he, like the other ‘lettermen’ earned his. They lettermen still underwent hazing prior to receiving his jacket. It was a tradition that went with the experience. Not everyone made the team and not everyone was entitled to wear the jacket. A person could 'letter' in other activities, yet, there was no jacket for them, only a large white sweater with the letter or letters on it.
As an athlete, he also was expected to wear ties and jackets on game days.The athletes were supposed to set examples for the rest of the students.Students in those days were very clean cut looking largely due to the strict enforcement of the hair code portion of the dress code. There were special days when the vice-principals held the dreaded inspections of students hair lengths. No hair was allowed over the ears or over the collar. The athletes stood out on game day, smartly dressed in their ties and jackets.
Being the athlete that he was, when he joined the school newspaper staff, he became the sports writer. Since he loved talking sports, he enjoyed interviewing the coaches about the games.
While in high school, we also discovered the game Dungeons and Dragons. In those days, the game was in its infancy. When we discovered it, the game consisted of a three booklets covering the rules and some strange dice. The game was fascinating. Since we had read Lord of the Rings, we were instantly enticed by it. When new rules came out like Greyhawk, we rushed to the local supplier (which was Nan’s Toys) and purchased them. At that time, it was not loaded with occult overtones or magic spells. It was more like a Lord of the Rings board game.
Kirk often came into class on Mondays full of comedy routines he gleaned from shows he saw over the weekend. Saturday Night Live, Second City TV, and Monty Python’s Flying Circus provided hours of comedy and laughs for Kirk and anyone he came in contact with. In journalism class, we often repeated the Spanish Inquisition and Albatross over and over.
During those days, students often gathered at the high school parking lot on the Burke side of the school. It was common to drive by on a Friday or Saturday night and see a gathering. Kirk occasionally made an appearance after "Jamming with the clown" which is what he called going through the drive through at the local Jack-in-the box. At that time, his friend and team mate, Danny Espinoza worked there, which made it more entertaining to 'jammin' with the clown'. (This was before the days when the clown was blown up).
The football team developed close associations in those days. Kirk's father, Richard often recorded movies of the games, which were a benefit to the coaches and players alike. These movies were in the days before VCR's came into use.
There were also the school rivalry pranks. After Sam Rayburn was spray painted in South Houston High School red, the 'team' evened the score by delivering manure to outside doors of their dressing room coated in columbia blue paint, so that they would know where it was from.
His senior year, the Sam Rayburn Texans beat rival Pasadena High School 7-6. It was always important to defeat the cross-town rival. His sports experiences always provided fodder for stories whether it was accounts of the experiences of Coach Odell Harrison, or witticisms from Coach James Barker or Coach Bob Taylor. Stories of "Cone Pines" and pep talks from the coaches provided hours of entertainment.
After graduation from Sam Rayburn High School in 1977, we both attended San Jacinto College. College was a new experience. In many ways, he joked about how it was like high school with ashtrays. Smoking was very public in those days, and the halls of the college had ashtrays. The college experience also brought exposure to international students. During those days, the Shah’s regime in Iran was in its last days. With the unrest in the Middle East, the international students from those parts of the world carried signs and held protests on campus concerning the Shah. Since this was the first protests we had seen, it became the butt of jokes.
Kirk was often cutting up with his friends and his friend's siblings. He and my brother, Tim often talked about possibly plastering "Buddy Holly Lives!" all over the city of Pasadena. Although they joked about it, I don't think that that ever came about. From all our military board gaming, one of the group ended up going to West Point where he defeated upper classmen in war games. We always thought that that was a wonderful accomplishment and a testimony that we knew what we were doing down there in Pasadena, Texas.
It was during this time that the film Urban Cowboywas filmed in Pasadena. It brought a lot of attention to the city. Kirk was acquainted with some of those in the film, which attempted capturing life in Pasadena during that time, with Gilley's (Which was the largest honkey-tonk in the world at that time). Kirk and I knew about the real life in Pasadena. We had even played 'ball' (we referred to football as 'ball) with Charlie Heintschel, who played John Travolta's brother in the movie.
Those who lived in Pasadena knew the many stories bout Gilley's and Sherwood Crier. We knew the way to avoid having a Gilley's bumper sticker put on your car by the crews that worked the parking lot. The locals all knew that Sherwood was to money man in the whole operation. We often swapped stories about local legends from Sherwood Cryer, Goatman Road, Mother Abdoo's and Gregory's. The 'real' Pasadena was much more colorful than movies could convey with such seedy attractions as the Red Bluff Adult drive-in and the nearby Ku Klux Klan headquarters on Red Bluff. Kirk never approved of them, and often told jokes poking fun at them and their presence in the city.
Jeffrey Murrah
Remembering Kirk
This year (2010) I lost my best friend. We often learn of death with calls from old friends who seem to be calling randomly. Kirk's brother had called me at odd times in the past. Those calls were often touching base and making sure everyone was ok after major hurricanes hit the area we lived in. I first heard of Kirk's death with a call from his brother. The news, like the call itself hit me from 'out of the blue'. In disbelief I found myself saying “I just talked to him last week” and thinking this can’t be happening. As more details about his death were learned, my mind accepted that he died, yet my heart was slower in doing so. I knew he had died, but I did not realize he was "gone". Even now, a little over two months later, it is still hard to accept. I am still working through his death. My brother told me that evening, “A friend is a special gift. You never know where you will find them, they just appear like the special gift that they are”. I found comfort in his words. That comfort helped me through the days afterwards. He himself had recently lost his best friend, Danny. He knew first hand what a loss it was.
Our friendship lasted over 25 years. Even now, when I see that number, it is hard to grasp that we were friends for a quarter century. He enjoyed life and encouraged others to do so as well.
Eulogy Delivered for Kirk
Eulogy for Kirk Duane Smith (1958-2010)
“Outside in the streets of Paris is a sense of the unreal ”
We are here to honor Kirk Duane Smith, his life and virtures. Although he did not poses a title like his forebearer, Sir McCartney, he was a noble man filled with noble virtures, which we, and the world need.
He was passionate in what he loved, even to the point of overwhelming people at times. Some of his friends referred to these moments as “the whirlwind of Kirk”. In the heat of passion, one could not talk over him.
One of his strongest passions was the Astros, whom he praised or cursed depending on the standings. There were seasons he supported the Oilers, but his “true blue” love was the Astros, whether on TV or through Milo Hamilton on the radio. He wore his passions on his sleeves and an old school Astros hat on his head (By the way, they were hats-not “lids” as used in modern vernacular).
Anyone who tried watching a movie or game with him could attest to his passions. There were no PC-sensitivities with him. He was “up front” with his passions. Like his raucous parrot, you knew Kirk was there and what his passions were.
He was loyal-to his teams, his friends, his family and his country. His loyalty knew no bounds even to opening his heart, home and wallet to those he cared for. Mike Willer can testify to the comfort of his ‘couch and quilt’. He remained true through hurricanes, moves, divorces and changing times. He could be counted on day or night, especially late nights waiting for MTV to playa Go-Go’s song.
He was loyalty to his values friend, family and his bird-defending and protecting them against all comers and critics, except him of course. Loyalty is a truly noble characteristic in a time when the world is filled with ‘Plastic People’.
He was respectful. He respected each of us in our quirks He often let us get weird and welcomed us back when we were our ‘old selves’. He was someone you could come back to. He respected the traditions and values of his forefathers. It was evidence that he had (as we say in the South)-“good raisin”. We saw the fruits of Richard and Vivian’s investment in him. He was mannerly to wives and parents. He might tell a story that embarrassed you, but he would respect your wife, kids and parents. No one can recall him telling an off color joke or story where your children or wife could hear it. Aking to this was his reverence for the sacred and his love of God. I have no doubt that he is swapping stories with Jesus about friends they hold dear.
Kirk loved life. He drank deep from the cup of life and wonder. He always enjoyed a good laugh, even if it involved ‘ragging’ on people in fun. He enjoyed the Marx Brothers, Danny Kaye, Monty Python, Jerry Lewis, John Candy and Steve Martin. In high school, you could count on Monday being filled with stories and skits from Saturday Night Live or Second City TV recounted in their entirety. Routines like “Bassomatic’, “catch it you keep it’, “The Lumberjack Song”, or “Trough and Brew” had something that would bring a smile to your face.
He also turned simple everyday tasks like requesting “I want a Coke!”, “Drrrr. Pepppper” or asking for a piece of cake into humor filled events. My sons enjoyed Kirk’s stories and listening to his routines over take out from Chan’s Chinese food. “You like-a theKung Pao Chicken?? The Chicken is good!”
He instilled a love of history into all who knew him. Those who spent hours playing board games were not wasted. They were living investments in people’s lives where Napoleon, Marshall Ney, George Patton, Neville, Percy and John Bell Hood were entwined with Ralls Lee, Larry Smith, Chris Menzel, Mike Willer, Shane Lee and myself. We bonded on boards and battlefields learning the importance of “a bishop and a boat”. All the while, listening to the Beatles, Jethro Tull or Al Stewart.
Today his is with many of those legendary Christian leaders. Rather than sipping brandy while joking about “having a nippy with Nappy” He is swapping stories with them.
Gaming was serious. From adventurous trips to a dilapidated trailer with an impressive name of “Kriegsbarat und Eisenworks” to letting himself into my home while my parents were gone and I was at work in order to play a game.
His influence was not limited to friends and family. He touched the lives of countless troubled kids who had been failed by traditional schools. He touches lives in hospitals and classrooms’ Students were amazed at this teacher who actually cared about them. “Finally someone who treated them like a person rather than a number”.
I recall a cold damp October morning standing on the filed of Waterloo with my sons wishing Kirk was there to share the stage with us. ‘He’ would know where the old guard fell, where the Scots Greys rode and where Wellington stood.
Add to these honesty and a love of people. He also had a way of making things simple. Like recognizing that a fancy pasta dish “was just noodles”. He told me the simple truth that ‘people want to know about people’. Which has steadied me well. Now you know about the person of Kirk Smith.
Kirk was noble and worthy of honor. In a day filled with un-noble men, he was honest, loving, inspirational, loved life, respected others, loyal and filled with a passion for life. We can learn from his example and add more to our lives. You can see why I chose him as my best man as I hope you do as well.
School Years
We first met in Pasadena, Texas when attending fifth grade elementary school at Golden Acres Elementary in the late 1960’s. It was an old school with wooden floors and a musty smell. In those days, the Principal was still allowed to paddle children, and discipline was strict. Although we had different teachers, we rode the same bus to and from school. The bus rides were filled with discussions about music and what we had recently heard on the radio. In those days, the Beatles were still together and making music which we enjoyed talking about.
Kirk was very much into baseball. He was the catcher for a team known as the steers. He enjoyed the whole baseball experience, with the opening day parade down Southmore Avenue in Pasadena, the team portraits and all that went with it. I am not sure if that is where his love for the Astros developed, but I am sure there is a connection. I went to some of his games, where I was introduced to frito-pies which consisted of bags of fritos chips sliced open and covered over with chili and cheese. Most of the baseball games in Pasadena occurred at a sports complex, which had several baseball fields combined with one concession stand, often manned by parental volunteers.
When sports were not in season, we often played board games, or explored parts of the neighborhood which were not developed at that time. In those days, there were rabbits and small wildlife to hunt with BB guns, even in Pasadena. We also enjoyed the typical boyhood fun of firecrackers and bottle rockets. Once we were caught by a Pasadena Police officer which was a harrowing experience. Despite our run-in with the law, shooting off fireworks always brought a smile to our faces, especially when it involved throwing them into the porta-potty occupied by his older brother. There was also the joy of aiming bottle rockets in the expansion joints to shoot down the streets.
The next year, 1971, we began Junior High School, at Park View Intermediate, which was a whole new world. Since there was no school football for sixth-graders, we each played for the Pasadena Recreation Department. On those teams, fathers and older brothers often served as coaches in teaching us the fundamentals of football. Since we were on separate teams, we looked forward to when we played against each other. We engaged in the typical trash talk about how each of our teams was better than their team.
Junior High School also brought with it bullies, adolescent girls and more adventures. In those days, there were still dress codes which were firmly enforced. We discovered a new kind of board games which re-enacted military battles made by Avalon Hill. The games fascinated us and we spent hours playing those games. Any spare lunch money or allowances were spent purchasing those games. It started with Blitzkrieg, Panzer Blitz, Waterloo and others. They had many multi colored cardboard pieces which were moved in various military maneuvers. Besides the hours spent playing, we also spent many hours arguing over the rules. Each new game was a new experience, and a new awareness of some portion of history which we had not been aware of. The next few years were known as the golden age of board gaming. At the time, we just enjoyed playing them, never knowing that it would be something people would talk about years later.
Kirk also introduced me to many films and actors which I had not been aware of. He introduced me to the Marx Brothers. Their films were shown on the late show, which was followed by the late, late show. Kirk loved laughing at their antics. Although we often watched the Three Stooges, which aired in the morning, the Marx Brothers were a special treat. He also like the comedians Danny Kaye, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis and Peter Sellers. Although I never enjoyed the Danny Kaye movies like he did, it did not stop him from laughing at their antics.
His love of comedy also included the popular comedians of the day. When Bill Cosby came out with a new record, he was often one of the first to obtain a copy. The really risqué humor was that of George Carlin with his seven words you can't say on radio or if you are really risky, listen to Cheech and Chong. Everyone talked about and recited their routines at school. I remember when he purchased Big Bambu and us listening to their routines. Teenagers often listened to phonograph albums of comedians, since there was nothing like YouTube then. Kirk was one of those who could recite the routines at school and have those around him laughing in no time.
The search for new comedy eventually led to the discoveries of the ‘not ready for prime time players’ when they were still on the radio. They were often on Sunday nights as part of the King Biscuit Flour Hour or the National Lampoon Radio Hour (which ran from November 1973 thru December 1974). Kirk would howl at hearing the routines like “Catch it you keep it” where the characters dropped object from a tall building and described the efforts of those trying to catch the items below. Late night radio often held many hidden gems. Kirk was often entertained by the disc jockeys at KLOL. They often sounded stoned and did some weird things on the radio. One DJ that we often joked about was called “Crash” (Maurice Collins). Who could forget "Crash in your dash". When the equipment was not working, crash lived up to his name and began pounding on it in an effort to get it to work. Since he sounded so out of it, we thought it was funny.
During those days many of the radio stations had good comedy in the mornings. Radio teams like Hudson and Harrigan and Stephens and Pruett were known for their comedy routines. Kirk did his part to spread the humor of those morning routines to everyone he came in contact with. At that time, radio stations still issued compilations of the best songs of each year on albums.
Kirk was a fanatical sports fan. He loved the Oilers and the Astros. When the oilers were in their heyday starting in the mid 1970’s, led by Bum Phillips and quarterbacked by Dan Pastorini, Kirk lived and died by the performance of his Oilers. He praised them and cheered them when they were doing good, but cursed and ranted when they let him down.Years later when I finally met Dan Pastorini in Chapell Hill, I thought of Kirk and those years that he admired him.
Besides the Oilers, he loved the Astros. Spending a spring or summer evening at his home often included listening to Milo Hamilton (the voice of the Astros) calling the game. Being a true fan, he was always wearing his Astros hat. Most of the time it was also accompanied by a jersey of either the Astros or the Colt 45’s which were the original team. His enthusiasm was contagious, cheering on his team anytime they had a winning streak. When they were winning he was on top of the world, when they lost, Kirk was equally passionate, screaming and yelling at the referees or whoever he blamed for the loss.
Kirk also played football himself in Junior High and High School. The local team was the Sam Rayburn Texans, where he played all four years he attended under the coaching leadership of Coach Charlie Lyles. In those days, letter jackets were reserved for the athletes, and he, like the other ‘lettermen’ earned his. They lettermen still underwent hazing prior to receiving his jacket. It was a tradition that went with the experience. Not everyone made the team and not everyone was entitled to wear the jacket. A person could 'letter' in other activities, yet, there was no jacket for them, only a large white sweater with the letter or letters on it.
As an athlete, he also was expected to wear ties and jackets on game days.The athletes were supposed to set examples for the rest of the students.Students in those days were very clean cut looking largely due to the strict enforcement of the hair code portion of the dress code. There were special days when the vice-principals held the dreaded inspections of students hair lengths. No hair was allowed over the ears or over the collar. The athletes stood out on game day, smartly dressed in their ties and jackets.
Being the athlete that he was, when he joined the school newspaper staff, he became the sports writer. Since he loved talking sports, he enjoyed interviewing the coaches about the games.
While in high school, we also discovered the game Dungeons and Dragons. In those days, the game was in its infancy. When we discovered it, the game consisted of a three booklets covering the rules and some strange dice. The game was fascinating. Since we had read Lord of the Rings, we were instantly enticed by it. When new rules came out like Greyhawk, we rushed to the local supplier (which was Nan’s Toys) and purchased them. At that time, it was not loaded with occult overtones or magic spells. It was more like a Lord of the Rings board game.
Kirk often came into class on Mondays full of comedy routines he gleaned from shows he saw over the weekend. Saturday Night Live, Second City TV, and Monty Python’s Flying Circus provided hours of comedy and laughs for Kirk and anyone he came in contact with. In journalism class, we often repeated the Spanish Inquisition and Albatross over and over.
During those days, students often gathered at the high school parking lot on the Burke side of the school. It was common to drive by on a Friday or Saturday night and see a gathering. Kirk occasionally made an appearance after "Jamming with the clown" which is what he called going through the drive through at the local Jack-in-the box. At that time, his friend and team mate, Danny Espinoza worked there, which made it more entertaining to 'jammin' with the clown'. (This was before the days when the clown was blown up).
The football team developed close associations in those days. Kirk's father, Richard often recorded movies of the games, which were a benefit to the coaches and players alike. These movies were in the days before VCR's came into use.
There were also the school rivalry pranks. After Sam Rayburn was spray painted in South Houston High School red, the 'team' evened the score by delivering manure to outside doors of their dressing room coated in columbia blue paint, so that they would know where it was from.
His senior year, the Sam Rayburn Texans beat rival Pasadena High School 7-6. It was always important to defeat the cross-town rival. His sports experiences always provided fodder for stories whether it was accounts of the experiences of Coach Odell Harrison, or witticisms from Coach James Barker or Coach Bob Taylor. Stories of "Cone Pines" and pep talks from the coaches provided hours of entertainment.
After graduation from Sam Rayburn High School in 1977, we both attended San Jacinto College. College was a new experience. In many ways, he joked about how it was like high school with ashtrays. Smoking was very public in those days, and the halls of the college had ashtrays. The college experience also brought exposure to international students. During those days, the Shah’s regime in Iran was in its last days. With the unrest in the Middle East, the international students from those parts of the world carried signs and held protests on campus concerning the Shah. Since this was the first protests we had seen, it became the butt of jokes.
Kirk was often cutting up with his friends and his friend's siblings. He and my brother, Tim often talked about possibly plastering "Buddy Holly Lives!" all over the city of Pasadena. Although they joked about it, I don't think that that ever came about. From all our military board gaming, one of the group ended up going to West Point where he defeated upper classmen in war games. We always thought that that was a wonderful accomplishment and a testimony that we knew what we were doing down there in Pasadena, Texas.
It was during this time that the film Urban Cowboy was filmed in Pasadena. It brought a lot of attention to the city. Kirk was acquainted with some of those in the film, which attempted capturing life in Pasadena during that time, with Gilley's (Which was the largest honkey-tonk in the world at that time). Kirk and I knew about the real life in Pasadena. We had even played 'ball' (we referred to football as 'ball) with Charlie Heintschel, who played John Travolta's brother in the movie.
Those who lived in Pasadena knew the many stories bout Gilley's and Sherwood Crier. We knew the way to avoid having a Gilley's bumper sticker put on your car by the crews that worked the parking lot. The locals all knew that Sherwood was to money man in the whole operation. We often swapped stories about local legends from Sherwood Cryer, Goatman Road, Mother Abdoo's and Gregory's. The 'real' Pasadena was much more colorful than movies could convey with such seedy attractions as the Red Bluff Adult drive-in and the nearby Ku Klux Klan headquarters on Red Bluff. Kirk never approved of them, and often told jokes poking fun at them and their presence in the city.