John O. Kirkland

John Olen Kirkland, 95 of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away on March 3, 2016 of natural causes. The funeral service will be held at 12:00PM on Saturday March 12th at Moore Funeral Home Southlawn Chapel at 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa OK 75145, (918) 663-2233. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Moore Funeral Home. John was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the city that he referred to as "America's Most Beautiful City" on June 6, 1920. He graduated from Webster High School, attended Tulsa University, and The School of Mortgage Banking at Northwestern University. John was married to Barbara Mary Gasper in 1947, after both received an honorable discharge from the military in 1945. John from the Air Force, and Barbara from the Marine Corp. They were married 69 years. John served in the US Air Corps, which later became the United States Air Force, for four years during WWII. John was a proud member of the 320th Bomb Group - 41st Bomb Squadron. His mission was the Liberation of France and he was stationed in Corsica, Italy and Sardinia, France. John was the radio operator and side gunner, and was also a photographer for the Air Force Newspaper. John was a Technical Sergeant at the time of his discharge and had flown 61 missions. He received the Good Conduct medal, Purple Heart, other medals, and a citation from French General Charles De-Gaulle. John's WWII video interview can be viewed at the Tulsa World Newspaper website by searching John Kirkland WWII. John worked as a Loan Officer, Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager, and Vice President of several mortgage companies in Tulsa. John started with W.R. Johnston in 1949, and later worked for T.J. Bettes Co., Charles F. Curry Co. and retired with Harry Mortgage Co. in 2004. He enjoyed bass fishing, barbequing on his Hasty Bake, and spending time with his wife Barbara, his children, relatives and friends. He was a member of the Tulsa Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa where he served on the Board of Directors and later the Associate Council Board at the time of his passing, and The Tulsa Board of Realtors. John was a Senior Board member at the Mortgage Bankers Association, and he was active in his industry for 65 years. John was a very social person committed to his industry and family. John is survived by his children Barry Kirkland of Tulsa, Dr. Karen Kirkland PhD of Portland Oregon and husband Stephen Stewart, Deann Kirkland of Tulsa and Alan Kirkland and wife Susan Kirkland of Costa Mesa, CA. John has four grandchildren, Brandy Kirkland-Charles of Tulsa, Kristy Kirkland of Hilo, Hawaii, Kelsey Kirkland-Thorne of Williston, North Dakota and Brandon Gomolski of Omaha, Nebraska, three great-grandchildren, Brayden and Bryce Charles and Elias Golmoski, along with other relatives and friends. John is preceded in death by his wife Barbara Mary Gasper Kirkland, father Dee Kirkland, mother Kathleen Marie Kirkland, sister Helen Marie Nuckolls and niece Kim Annette Nuckolls McGrath. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to The Wounded Warrior Project. The Kirkland family wishes to thank family, friends, the Home Builders and Mortgage Bankers Association for a lifetime of memories. John understood how blessed he was to have been associated with such wonderful family, friends and work associates. "Trust in the Lord with all my heart - In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy path"

John O. Kirkland

June 6, 1920 - March 3, 2016