Donald Ray Kirkindoll

DONALD RAY KIRKINDOLL January 1, 1932 – January 20, 2011 Donald Ray Kirkindoll, 79, of Waco passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Thursday, January 20, 2011. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 22, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Public visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the service begins. Family and friends will gather immediately following memorial service at Calvary Baptist Church, North 18th Street and Bosque Blvd. Mr. Kirkindoll was born in Mt. Vernon, Texas on January 1, 1932, the son of Charles and Rexie Johnson Kirkindoll. Upon graduating from Maud High School in 1948, he attended Baylor University, where he met his wife, Shirley Thomas Kirkindoll, the daughter of C.J. and Lillian Thomas of Waco. Mr. Kirkindoll then served with honor in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1955 as a Captain of an Ordinance Unit in Europe. After graduating from Baylor University, he taught school for ten years. Mr. Kirkindoll then began working in the fledgling computer industry where he worked on collision avoidance systems for airlines and helped develop the first cellphone switch while at Northern Telecom. Upon retirement, he and his cherished wife of 59 years, traveled full-time in their RV, camping in all of the 48 contiguous states. Mr. Kirkindoll's highest priority in life was his family. Having made his profession of faith at 9 years old, he reared his children with the guidance of the Holy Bible and instilled in them the value of the church. He loved to laugh and sing, truly enjoying being with his friends and family as they did. He loved sports of all kinds, spending his life playing, coaching, and watching them. He most recently loved to watch Lady Bears Basketball team as a season ticket holder. He is a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and loved to greet each and every person who entered the door. Mr. Kirkindoll had a wonderful sense of humor, incredible integrity, and deep and abiding love for Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. He will be truly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife and soul mate, Shirley Thomas Kirkindoll, whom he married in 1951; three children, Dr. Michael Kirkindoll and wife, Donna, of Jefferson, Georgia; Donald W. Kirkindoll and wife, Jackie, of San Antonio, Texas; and Dale E. Kirkindoll and wife, Liz, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; five grandchildren, Julie Kirkindoll and David Kirkindoll of Jefferson, Georgia, Don Kirkindoll and wife, Kriss, of Columbia, South Carolina, Grayson Kirkindoll and Holt Kirkindoll of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and one great-grandchild, Natalie Kirkindoll of Columbia, South Carolina. Also surviving are two sisters, Betty Whitington and husband, Leonard, of Hooks, Texas, and Ann Tillman of Jefferson, Texas. The family would like to thank the staff and doctors at Providence during these last days for their excellent care. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.