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Submitted: 7/13/22 • Approved: 8/10/22 • Last Updated: 8/13/22 • R1439690-G0-S3
September 29, 1938 - December 24, 2014
*Obituary
David Randolph Kirchman, 76, of Bartlesville, OK, went to be with his Lord Jesus on Christmas Eve, 2014. His death was sudden but he was surrounded by his family. He had just returned from Candlelight and Communion Service where he got to sing a favorite Christmas song “O Holy Night”.
He was born to Lorene Leftwich Kirchman and Lester H. Kirchman on September 29, 1938, in Van Buren, Arkansas.
He went to Sophia Meyer Grade School and Junior High and High Schools in Van Buren, graduating with honors. David was active in Music, Drama and Journalism while working as a Soda Jerk at Langston’s Drug Store. Ft. Smith Junior College was the beginning of his college years where he was active in choir while working fulltime at Winton’s IGA. College was completed at the University of Arkansas where he received his Bachelors’s Degree in Industrial Management while working 40 hours a week at Piggly Wiggly Grocery. David always said his only mark at U of A was his name on the sidewalk by Old Main. He finished his course work in the summer of 1961 and took a job with Arkansas Best Freight in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was involved in Kiwanis, St. John’s Methodist Choir and taught Sunday School. Later the family moved to Bartlesville, OK, to work for Phillips Petroleum in the Computing Department. For 30 years he worked in many areas advancing in responsibility and organizational level. David got into computing early enough that the team he led developed the first on-line system for Phillips, REDCAP, still in use. Later was fortunate to be assigned to a Presidential Task Force (Reagan) and spent some time in Washington, D.C. making recommendations about how to save money. David was married to Hazel Ruth Brannam on August 9, 1959 in Van Buren, Arkansas.
Phillips was his “day” job but his real job was sponsoring the Senior High Youth at East Cross United Methodist Church for 30 years. That meant hayrides, trips, grubby games, overnights, staying up all night with discouraged kids, trying to help them wrestle their way through tough moral problems, weekly Bible studies at our home, and anything he felt the Lord wanted him to do to help his “kids”. He was always grateful to be a part of their lives and help them in their walk with God.
David is survived by his wife of 55 years Hazel Ruth Brannam Kirchman, and Brother Bob Kirchman, Russellville, AR, three children, Karen Kirchman Harris of Fayetteville, AR, Lester Matthew Kirchman of Bartlesville, OK, John Mark Kirchman and Karen Ballard Kirchman, Owasso, OK, Grandchildren are Toby David Kirchman, San Antonio, TX, Nicole Elizabeth Kirchman Ramey and husband Joey, Broken Arrow, OK, Crystal Susanne Kirchman Fitch and Michael Fitch of Bowie, TX, William Reagan Harris, Lauren Margaret “Maggie” Harris, Emma Katherine Harris of Fayetteville, AR, Amber Ruth Kirchman, Tulsa, OK, Heather Brooke Kirchman, Owasso, OK and Clinton Bradley Giles of Dewey, Okla., Great Grandchildren, Zakary Ty Ramey, James Alan Fitch, Elise Veronica Fitch, Rebecca Louise Fitch and Taylor Leigh Giles, and several cousins, nieces and nephews. David loved and treasured his family.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Lorene Ruth Leftwich Kirchman and Lester H. Kirchman, brother, William W. Kirchman, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and sister Bette Jo Kirchman Crites of Norman, OK and Granddaughter, Whitney Elise Kirchman, who lives in Heaven with her Grandpa. He always said his greatest job was Grandpa. David you will be missed terribly, but we are rejoicing that we can KNOW you are with Jesus and all our family that has gone before us.
Funeral services for Mr. Kirchman will be held at 10 A.M. on Monday, December 29, 2014 at the East Cross United Methodist Church with Rev. Jeff Burress and Rev. Chad Perceful officiating.
Interment will follow at the Grace Lawn Cemetery in Van Buren, Arkansas directed by the Stumpff Funeral Home & Crematory of Bartlesville, Arkansas.
The Kirchman family will receive guests for visitation at the Stumpff Funeral Home on Sunday, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Rozie
Contributed on 7/13/22 by Bill060
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Record #: 1439690