Buckley resident Wendell A. Kirk, 90, died June 4, 2016, at Heritage House Assisted Living.

He was born Sept. 1, 1925, in Walla Walla, Wash. He graduated in 1944 from Bellingham (Wash.) High School, served 18 months in the Army Air Corps and, in 1950, married Barbara A. Shields. In 1951 he graduated from Oregon State University with a bachelor of science degree in agricultural education. He worked as a vocational agriculture teacher for two years in Oregon and 28 years in Washington, including employment from 1962 to 1976 with the White River School District. He taught at Renton Vocational from 1976 to 1982. Following retirement, he worked at Buckley Nursery, Coast to Coast Hardware and Mutual of Enumclaw, caring for the company’s plants.

He was a member of Community Presbyterian Church, where he was a church elder for 56 years, and was a member of the Buckley Kiwanis, starting in 1962. He was involved in Youth for Understanding for 11 years, hosted four exchange students, and was the travel coordinator for three states. Worked with placing students in homes in the area and helping local students with their international placements. He was a high school ski club director for 14 years, taught ski school and was a high school FFA adviser. He loved music, gardening and annual trips to the Shakespearean Festival in Ashland, Ore. He enjoyed playing cards, spending time with family and attending numerous sporting events for his sons and grandchildren. He sang in church choirs from 1952-98 and was active in Enumclaw Community Chorus, performing in more than 86 performances, having many solos.

He is survived by wife of seven years, Barbara F. (Hendrickson) Kirk of Buckley; sons David A. (Nellie) Kirk of Tonasket, Wash., Bruce A. (Kaye) Kirk of Buckley and Stephen R. (Deborah) Kirk of Federal Way, Wash.; brother Robert Kirk of Portland, Ore.; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by first wife Barbara in 1998.

A memorial service took place at noon Tuesday, June 21, at Community Presbyterian Church in Buckley, officiated by the Rev. Jim Thoburn. A private family burial followed at Tahoma National Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Community Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1930, Buckley, Wash. 98321.