Richard Spencer Kirk

1929 – 2023

Richard Spencer Kirk, age 94, quietly passed away in his sleep on August 24, 2023, at UVRMC following a brief illness.

Richard was born on June 1, 1929, to Spencer and Opal Cluff in Heber, Utah as their second child following approximately two and a half years behind his older sister Nortica. His birth mother died shortly thereafter. He was then adopted by Lawrence and Martha Kirk. His birth father later married Nina Porter and they blessed Richard with seven additional siblings. His birth father always kept in touch with Richard as his uncle for many years.

Richard was preceded in death by both his birth and adoptive parents, brother Marion (Dawna) Cluff, sister Nortica (Norman) Barker, brother Jerry (Linda) Cluff. He is survived by his wife, Joye; son Lee (April) Kirk; Grandchildren: Shalauna, Jaron, and Emilee. Siblings: Nelda (Dale) Cazier, Jack (Beverly) Cluff, Seloma (Lynn) Porter, Ron (Alicia) Cluff, Karla (Lynn) Sorensen.

Richard served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Great Lake Mission which included Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. He served in the Army in Korea as a cook with the 45th Infantry Division and 145 Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. Richard married Joye Hullinger on February 28, 1957, in the Salt Lake Temple. Eventually their son Lee joined them.

He worked at Hill Air force Base receiving, packing, warehousing, and shipping aircraft parts. The love of cooking that he gained while in the Army led him to build a small cafe with his adoptive father which he briefly operated as Dick’s Drive-In. He worked at Geneva Steel as a diesel locomotive fireman. He then worked for the Quality Linen Towel Supply Company for 37 years delivering linen, uniforms, and towels. After retiring he went to work for Diamonds Greenhouse with his brother Jerry Cluff in Springville planting decorative flowerpots until he was 90 years old.

He loved gardening and to camp, travel, and take vacations with both his immediate and extended family.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on August 30 in the North-West corner of the Provo City Cemetery near 600 S. 600 E. Flowers are unnecessary but can be brought directly to the cemetery at the time of the service or delivered to the family ahead of time.