James "Jimmie" Kirk

James A. ‘Jimmie’ Kirk

78, of Dinwiddie, Indiana, passed from this earthly life on Friday, December 29, 2023, surrounded by his family.  Jim was born at home on July 25, 1945, in rural Prentiss, Kentucky in Ohio County, to Leonard and Lucille (Plummer) Kirk.  When he was about twelve years old, the family moved north, finally settling in Whiting, Indiana, where he graduated from Whiting High School, class of 1963.

He worked construction jobs, from the icy cold of Hibbing, Minnesota to the blazing heat of Mule Shoe, Texas. He finally said, ‘Enough of this!’ and began working in sales, and even owned a popular Mexican restaurant. But what he really looked forward to was Friday nights and going out for a little Texas 2-step. He loved to dance.

When he moved back to the Calumet region he started attending bluegrass jams and taught himself to play the guitar, focusing on his favorite, old country music. He loved attending the jams at the Lake Village Grange and the FASE center in DeMotte.

When he met his singing partner, Peggy Hendricks, they began singing at all the area nursing homes and senior centers; actually, wherever they would let them. J

In 2009 they started the Saturday night Country and Gospel jams at the Methodist Church in Lowell. It was so popular that they added a Friday night Beans and Cornbread Jam.

Jim was great about including everyone and encouraging people to play and sing.

He decided to teach a guitar class while Peggy was at choir practice, and charged each student a hefty ‘hard’ dollar.  He enjoyed organizing jams and musical programs such as “Opera to Opry”, and  it was a huge thrill to perform on the Heritage Stage of the Lake County Fair.

Jim enjoyed fishing at Willow Slough, and after he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, watching Matt’s Off-Road Recovery on Youtube. He made a great turkey casserole and even mastered his mom’s chocolate meringue pie.

One of his favorite sayings was, “Time will take care of everything.” Indeed, it did. We just weren’t ready.

Jim leaves behind his son, Kevin Kirk of Lowell, his daughter, Karyn (Joe Morris) Kirk of Schererville, and grandchildren, Hudson Morris and Lauren; his brothers Leonard Eugene (Carol) Kirk of The Villages in Florida, and Larry (Susan Mattison) Kirk of Schererville; as well as many nieces and nephews and other relatives. He also leaves behind his many jam friends and his partner in song for fifteen years, Peggy Hendricks.

Visitation Wednesday, January 3 from 10-12, Concluding with Funeral Services at 12 Noon, all at his Church, 520 E. Commercial Ave. in Lowell.  Cremation will follow services. 

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