Honest and Good

Allow me a moment to remember a few good times. Over the years since we first met in Edgewood ISD, back in the early 1990s, where he worked another dear friend, Mark Gabehart, as an intern, I came to see something in Virgil Alan Kirk that was honest, good, and dependable. He was salt of the earth and that informed his perspective. 

When Virgil gave you his word, or even when he didn’t, you knew things would get done. 

“Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength….” (Ecc 9:10)

My Tractor

I still remember an outing during TCEA Convention week, when Virgil, Mark, Jim Baldoni, and I met for dinner. We had gotten into the habit of getting together at TCEA Convention since we had all scattered to the winds working in different districts. At one of those meetings, Virgil confessed something to us.

Virgil told us that he had purchased a tractor. We immediately looked up the country-n-western song by Kenny Chesney, popular on the radio at that time. 

Virgil was good-natured about the joke, and I confess to teasing him unmercifully. 

When I was in East Texas, I recalled I needed some LabQuests for Learning, the work of Dr. Chris Moersch. The voluminous binder and booklets were too much to take with me to East Texas. But Virgil was kind enough to ship them to me, no questions asked. 

One of my friends to visit with, upon returning from East Texas, was Virgil. He would always have some new tech and resources to share with me, and vice versa. Virgil would have me over to share insights into technology. He introduced me to portable hard drives, later, the ZIP disk, who knows how many other amazing technologies. During those visits, I’d watch as he played tug-o-war with his chocolate labrador, an adorable creature that preceded Virgil and no doubt waits for him in the Great Beyond.

Technical Expertise

I remember one of my first collaborations with Virgil that impacted multiple school districts. 

Back when the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF) grant was a thing, I realized I couldn’t do all the technical network stuff that was required. So, Virgil and I started working together as consultants, with him doing the Technical portion of the TIFTECH Training, while I did the rest.  Virgil’s warm personality always endeared him to session participants. He put together a TIFTECH Technical guide that we used with session participants.

Over the years, I came to rely on Virgil for many similar situations. He was easy to work with, and we always had fun. For example, when we did TIFTECH Training at a district we both worked at, we had to deal with rats in the ceiling during the session. Wow.

Virgil Kirk presents at TCEA 2016 Convention and Exposition, one of the many times we co-presented on a topic that required his technical insight.

 

Virgil had a unique way of presenting and speaking to others. He’d wrinkle up his face as he was thinking, then crack a joke, and launch into an explanation, hands and fingers splayed out to make the point.

When he retired a few years ago, I couldn’t help but feel sad that he and I wouldn’t get a chance to present together again. But even so, at a TCEA event after 2016, he took the time to come up to present on Google Administration, even though he didn’t have to. 

And, I’m sure TCEA.org owes him a great debt. Virgil was a tireless volunteer, not afraid to sweat (as I was, a fact he would tease me about) over laying down power or ripping it up. Virgil later led the TechTeam for TCEA at Convention, and we had many a laugh as he shared the fun aspects of the job. I know many respected him, and held him in high esteem.

I still remember him as a young man, albeit older than I, and being a little rough around the edges, and not afraid to speak the truth, no matter the consequences in a humorous way. As late as these past few years, he came to help out and do so much.

The Motorcycle Ride

Once, Virgil dropped by. My wife, daughter, and I were living in an apartment complex. My daughter was a youngster. I forget what we were working on. 

My daughter, a toddler at the time (sheesh, that’s over 20 years ago), was thrilled to meet the guy on the motorcycle. Although I had ridden a motorcycle in my late teens, I swore it off when I got married (that and my wife twisted my arm). It wasn’t a great loss to me, but Virgil was an avid motorcyclist. He loved to share back then about how he had crashed his bike on several occasions. . .all adventures he’d had before we met in Edgewood.

So, you can imagine my trepidation when Virgil offered to give Aida (my daughter) a ride on the motorcycle. It became one of her memories and she told me earlier today that it was one that has stuck with her, even though it’s been 20 years or more.

I trusted Virgil completely, and Virgil became “Uncle Virgil” to Aida after this experience. He and I were working together in East Central ISD when the news came in that Aida and Zac (her husband) were a couple, and you can see Virgil’s happiness on their behalf:

What a ham!

Virgil and I worked through various districts, like Edgewood ISD, Harlandale ISD, East Central ISD, and I recommended him for his tech director posting in Poteet ISD with Doug Killian (Superintendent at the time). It turned out well, and Virgil brought his unique skill set to a district that needed it. In time, he moved on when their needs changed. 

 Virgil had such a fun personality but also, he was someone you could count on in a pinch. I never had a doubt that he could get the job done when it was his.

Virgil Kirk with Mary Ray and Marguerite Lowak at TCEA regional event hosted by Ft. Sam Houston ISD.

The Northside ISD Family

One of the unique experiences in my career, and for Virgil as well I’m sure, was the time we spent in Northside ISD. Any time we had the opportunity, we took it to work with Mark Gabehart, who is a magnet for excellence and collaboration. The Northside ISD family of Campus Instructional Technologists (CITs), the Pathways to Advance Virtual Education (PAVE), allowed us to meet and connect with so many educators. The people who’s lives were touched are too numerous to list here, but quite a few come to mind.

Mark Gabehart, Northside ISD at the time, once put Virgil in charge of running the Northside ISD Summer Camps. I remember Virgil working so hard to make it successful. One hot afternoon, I remember Virgil staggering in with what seemed like a pallet of juice drinks for the kids at the summer camps. His dedication to the success of the camps stuck with me since that day.

You Can’t Make Old Friends

How grateful I am to have worked with Virgil, that he was my friend. I was watching Kenny Rogers farewell (he passed in 2020), and this song resonated as I listened to it. It is strange I heard it last night, without knowing that it would serve to commemorate Virgil’s passing. 

Part of it goes…”You can’t make old friends, it was me and you since way back when.”

Oh…the show must go on.

A Thousand Stories

As I look back over the years, I realize that Virgil is a part of my life, and my family’s life. A thousand stories and memories have begun to flood my memory. I remember the time he let me put my website on his edsupport.cc web server,which he ran from his home. I remember the time when he did something that got me in trouble, with no mal intent on his part. People asked me, “Why are you friends with Virgil?” when it happened, but as I knew then, no job was the equal of a lost friendship. 

Virgil was, as those who knew him, a loyal friend. He taught me how a friend should be, and if he made a mistake here and there (like dancing on a table during a workshop on a dare from someone else), it was forgivable.  You couldn’t get mad at Virgil…he is a good soul.

The Last Time

The last time I saw him was a few months ago at our favorite Thai food spot, Thai Taste, in Northside ISD (off Evers Rd). I can see him now, his smile and distinctive walk. It reminds me of the time I bribed the waitress to kick up the spicy level on Virgil’s food, and slow blush that crept up his neck…his good-natured laughter and threats to get even. I will remember him that way. 

I know that others have different memories, like his food exploring companion, Diane Tudyk, whom I remember meeting so many years ago in Harlandale ISD. It’s amazing how many people Virgil connected with over the years, and how many remember him so warmly.

Farewell

Tony Campolo said that people, when asked on their deathbeds, to reflect on their lives, share how much they regret things left undone. When I think of Virgil, I think of someone who made memories that left little room for regret.

Virgil was my friend, one of the very few I’ve had over the years. And, I’m sorry, I wasn’t a better one to him. I have cried my tears and I will remember his face and name. I was Spock to his Kirk, an old joke between us. I will remember him. Some people didn’t appreciate his humor and character, but ain’t nobody perfect.

Farewell, dear friend. You are ever with me.

“Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.”
~ Khalil Gibran

My Daughter, Aida, wrote the following:

Virgil was indeed like an uncle to me. He didn’t just take me on my first (and last) motorcycle ride (which I’m certain gave me the rollercoaster bug), but I was there for the mulching. 

Uncle Virgil was always part of the network that I could count on to express pride and support for me as I moved forward in life. He was also so much more than that, and I’m grateful to have known him. 

Thanks for reading his memoriam, written by my dad. Cherish your friends.

A Few Folks Left Comments

Update 8/17/2022: Funeral Service for Virgil Kirk

To the best of my understanding, Virgil Kirk will be cremated and there will be no funeral service. As such, I invite you to share your reflections about Virgil in the comments or wherever you prefer.

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