Michael A Kirkman

Michael A. Kirkman , 55, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2019, after a long courageous battle with colon cancer.
Michael was an Electrical Controls Manager with Algood Foods, a company that he thought of as a family, and his fellow employees as friends. Mike was thought of as a selfless leader and dedicated mentor by his employees. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force for 9 years. Mike was a proud graduate of Western Governor University, earning a bachelors degree.

Mike was a selfless, fun loving human being that accepted everyone as they are, and loved them as his brothers and sisters, and most thought of him this way. His life was a song that he lived out daily and he had a sense of humor that never stopped. "Please do not be sad and keep the memories of me on reserve and think of them when you need to smile." Mike said and described his friends as "Rare are the people like you, who can be kind and sweet, but cool and fun."

He was born on February 14, 1964 in Portsmouth , Virginia to Lendon "Fuddy" and Betty Ruth (Sawyer) Kirkman . He is preceded in death by his mother-in-law Mary Dale Gue, aunt, Robin Sawyer, and grandparents, Riley and Agnus Kirkman.

Michael is survived by his loving wife and soul mate of 17 years, Cindy Kirkman, father and mother , Lendon "Fuddy" W. and Betty Ruth Kirkman, sister, Tina Lynne (Larry ) Pyles, brother, Anthony Todd (Kelley ) Kirkman, father-in-law and mother -in- law , Richard E. and Judy A. Hartman, sister-in-law, Sheri A. Nelson, brother-in-law, Josh W. (Angela) Riley, and his puppies Corsica and Paris.

Mike had a deep spiritual belief and wants everyone to know "I'll see you on the other side but don't be in no hurry yet."

The family requests that contributions in Michael 's memory be made to the American Cancer Society.

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The following is Michael's final thoughts written in his own words ...


LAST WILL AND WISHES
MICHAEL A KIRKMAN

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

Please do not be sad. I have had a great life. I have had a full life. I have loved and been loved. I have laughed and cried and experienced more than many do in 10 lifetimes.

I want to start by thanking you Cindy for being the Love of My Life. You were kind and loving to me. I want to thank you for loving me and being someone I could love with all my heart. I am not afraid as I have never been afraid of dying but I did not want to leave you. Be in no hurry to join me because as time is eternal I will have a piece of you in my soul and to me we are already together.

Cindy you must continue your life and as quickly as you can smile again. I want you to be happy now as I have always wanted you to be happy. Only think of me from time to time and think of me as we lived together and not as I am now. We lived fully and I never once took what we had together for granted.

Family, both by blood and by marriage, please know that I have loved you all. Be there for each other and please be there for Cindy. Keep your faith that I am fine and resting peacefully. There is so much I can say to each of you but know that as I write this I have thought of each of you individually and have pictured your faces. I have pictured you the way you were with me during the best of times we have had together. Please remember those. Remember that I have always loved you and I always will. If you wish to honor me then do so by living successful and happy lives. Be kind and forgiving to each other, to the world and to yourselves.

Friends, I have been so blessed that our lives at some point have crossed paths. Many of you I met while I was young and was lucky enough to continue to call you my friend to this day. Keep my memory of our times together on reserve when you need to smile. Be witness to the crazy times we have had. Let people know I did not make all of this up. The world is better with you in it. Rare are the people like you who can be kind and sweet but cool and fun. I have always loved being surrounded by good people who also knows how to have a good time.

All, I hope those of you who will remember me will remember me this way: I was loving, fun, and kind. I had a sense of humor and loved to laugh. Remember my taste for fine IPA and drinking with friends. Those times I was in fellowship with those I love and I believe experiencing the meaning of life. I hope you remember that I was never malicious. I hope you remember my love of music because your all were my favorites songs.

OK, so I am not poetic enough to write this document. I hope you read between the lines the love and wishes I have for you all.

One major wish I have is that' while there can be a funeral for family and friends, I prefer there not be. Please DO have a wake at our house. Play music. Celebrate. Drink one for me! Use this time to honor all the good times I have had and think about all the good times you all have in front of you. No crying allowed!!! Singing is encouraged. Hugging is required.

CINDY'S PAGE

Cindy, you have been the most beautiful person I have ever known. I have loved you as best as I could. I hope it was enough. I apologize for the times I fell short in loving you as I should. Believe me though, I never took you for granted and felt blessed to call you my wife and privileged to call you my best friend.

We have had such a time traveling to Key West, Jamaica, Europe, Hawaii, and so many other places far and near. We have had so much fun at our beautiful home that was so touched by our personalities that it became a part of us. Nights around the Tiki bar or in the AQ. Summer days in the pool. Winters warm around the fireplace on our couch. My favorite of all just being together doing nothing. Living as a family so warm and content and complete. I am truly sorry it had to end but remember you always say everything happens for a purpose. I believe we will be reunited and perhaps we will know the purpose for everything. "I'll see you on the other side but don't be in no hurry yet."

10 novels could not fill all the words I have for you. I will sum it up by saying this: We said I love you every day. Please know every day still I do. Let go of me as much you can but when you need to, hear me scream my love from Heaven.


SONG PAGE
When I die baby don't you cry when they lay my body to the ground
Raise your mug and toast our love and pass the drinks around

If you knew me you would believe that what I'm saying is true- So
Gather my friends and make a joyful sound while you past the drinks around

So you know that when I go I'll have no regrets
I'll see you on the other side but don't be in no hurry yet

If you knew me you would believe that what I'm saying is true- So
Gather my friends and make a joyful sound while you past the drinks around

It matters not if all that you got are glasses tiny and low
Don't you miss me fill them with whiskey and have a shot on me to go

If you knew me you would believe that what I'm saying is true- So
Gather my friends and make a joyful sound while you past the drinks around

You can remember me on Saint Paddy's Day. Remember my Irish eyes
Remember how I lived each day but forget how I died

If you knew me you would believe that what I'm saying is true- So
Gather my friends and make a joyful sound while you past the drinks around

If you thought enough of me to drink to me when I'm dead
Raise your glasses here and now and drink to my life instead
If you know me you would believe that what I'm saying is true- So
Gather my friends - Let's make a joyful sound while you past the drinks around

FAMILY PAGE
Todd - I have loved you like a son, a brother and as a friend. I am very proud of you.

Tina- You were my first best friend and my first mentor. You taught me how to live and it was a lesson I never forgot my whole life. I always loved you.

Mom & Dad- Please know I have loved you always. I may have been different than the child you had hoped you may have had but I hope you are proud of the person I was just the same.

Cindy's Family- I have loved you all like my own family. You always made me feel welcome and loved. I hope you will keep my in your hearts as your own.

My Puppies- Keep your Mommy comforted. I will miss you. You have been such great companions to me and I believe you too have a place with me again someday.


FRIEND PAGE

My life has been a series of distinct and special chapters. The settings have changed. The story lines have changed. Life has introduced me to a new cast of characters, new adventures, and new outlooks. I have been blessed that many of those friends remained up to this day when the last words have been written.

Some of you have known me through many of my different lives.
Some of you have shared my love of music or my fondness of fine IPAs. Some of you I went to school with, served in the military with, worked with or partied with. Some of you I did it all with. Some of you shared my love of UK basketball. Some of you shared my political views or my sense of humor. Some of you shared my love of learning, traveling, experiencing. Many of you I knew for years. All of you I have shared laughter with and have loved.

The stories, all of them, you are now free to tell. Let me warn you, many will not believe them. Many will think you are bragging or exaggerating. But we will know that we did all that. I cannot tell you how great it is to have experienced so much and how grateful I am for having known you.