July 24, 1923-July 11, 2013
Cecil Franklin Kirkland was born June 24, 1923 to parents Evie Tubbe Kirkland and Benjamin Russell Kirkland in Devers, Texas. He was married to his wife, Dorothy Bartee Kirkland, for 67 years. He was predeceased by his son, Terry Russell Kirkland, and sister, Bernice Kirkland Adams.
Cecil is survived by his wife Dorothy Kirkland of Seabrook, daughter Sherry Kirkland of Friendswood, sister Opal Goodson of Caldwell, Audrey Parker of Sugarland, and Nora Lee Ladd of Devers. Granddaughters, Misty Moyer Baker of Friendswood, Tisha Moyer Holy and her husband Miro Holy of Placerville, California, Mandy Moyer Bowen and her husband Kevin Bowen of Houston, Kristin Kirkland of Dallas, and Kelly Kirkland Scott and her husband Chris Scott of Hitchcock. Cecil was extremely proud of his six great-grandchildren, with a seventh due in September. He is survived by numerous nieces, nephew, and cousins.
Cecil graduated from Devers Independent School District in 1941, and he received a Bachelor of Business degree from the University of Houston in 1949. During World War II, Cecil Kirckland served in the 44th Infantry Division Medical 324th Infantry Regular as a Surgical Technician Sergeant. He was stationed in France, Germany, England, and Austria and he fought in the battles of Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge. Cecil received the American Theater Campaign Medal, EAME Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars and numerous other citations, and he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for this actions during combat.
After graduation, Cecil went to work for Wilson Supply Company. In 1961, he simultaneously started Coastal Oil Tool Company and Production Casing Scrapers in Houston, Texas. In 1981, he sold Coastal to HOMCO, but he continued working for HOMCO for five years on contract. In 1986, Cecil went back into the oilfield supply business by starting Navajo Fishing & Rental Tools, Inc. of Alvin, Texas. He semi-retired in the latter part of 1986, but he never left the oilfield or the office because the office and the South Texas Oil Patch was what kept Cecil vital and sharp even into his late eighties.
When Cecil wasn’t at work, he enjoyed hunting with the Wilderness Hunting Club in Devers, fishing at Port O’Connor and hunting on the ranch at Rock Springs.
Funeral service was held at Forest Park East Funeral Home in Webster, Texas on July 18, 2013 with Cecil’s brother-in-law Doyle Adams of Port O’Connor officiating.
