Richard Kirkham

February 28, 1921 - January 17, 2009

Richard Henry, son of Rebecca (Dunn) and Joel J. Kirkham, one of 14 children, was born February 28, 1921, near Sweetwater, Alabama. He passed away at the Alva Share Medical Center on the 17th of January at the age of 87 years, 10 months and 20 days. He attended the Sweetwater School System where he graduated from High School. He was a veteran of WWII serving in the Army with the special services and was stationed in Alva at the P.O.W. camp. He attended college at Auburn and Livingston State College. On June 24, 1950 he was married to Frances French at her Uncle Frank and Anut Vernon McArthur’s home. To their marriage a son, John, was born. Following their marriage they made their home in Alva and he worked for Santa Fe Railway as a lineman on their telephone and telegraph system in five states for 4 years. He then started farming and worked for Tyree clothing store for 12 years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, a fifty year member of the Home Builders Sunday School Class, a former member of the Elks Lodge and the Capron American Legion. Mr. Kirkham was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and seven brothers. Richard is survived by his wife Frances of the home, his son John; two grandsons, Ian and Simon, all of Alva; two sisters, Frankie Cannon, of Linden, Alabama, and Sudie Reid, of Thomasville, Alabama; two Brothers and their wives, J.D. and Allie, of Rochester, Pennsylvania and Orice and Jean, of Linden, Alabama; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. PDF Printable Version