Graveside service for Arthur Wayne "A. W." Kirk, age 87, of Tipton, Oklahoma, will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the Tipton Municipal Cemetery. Burial is under the direction of Orr Gray Gish & Tipton Funeral Homes.

Viewing will be from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at the Tipton Funeral Home, 220 E. Main in Tipton.

A. W. passed away peacefully on May 30, 2026. He was born July 13, 1938, in the sand hills north of Tipton, Oklahoma to Joseph Arthur Kirk and Clela Marie Kirk. He attended the Laing School and graduated from Tipton High School with the class of 1957.

He was a longtime farmer and agribusinessman, operating a custom hay service for many decades in the Tillman County area. He grew several crops including wheat, cotton, corn, and peanuts. He raised cattle as well. His favorite thing ever though was alfalfa hay. He was the resident expert on alfalfa hay in the Tipton area for many, many years. His favorite place to be was in a hay meadow, cutting or baling hay. He spent his later years in service to Tillman County District 1.

A.W. was an expert mechanic on tractors and implements. When he was younger, he went to Kansas City to train to be a John Deere mechanic. He was highly sought after by different farmers in the community when a tractor or baler had any mechanical issue. He was thorough and knowledgeable and sometimes “creative” when it came to repairing equipment. On one of his own swathers, he once engineered a bypass of a rusted out fuel tank, by equipping an empty aluminum beer keg to the side of the swather and using it for a temporary fuel tank. He was nothing short of a genius when it came to keeping equipment going.

While farming and working on tractors were his passion, he was more than just those things. He married Anita Sue Glenn on September 15, 1978, and they were married for 43 years until her death in October 2021. He was the father of two children, who he adored and loved tremendously. He was “Pa” to his five grandchildren, who he loved and doted on. He was a brother, an uncle, brother-in-law and son. He was a loyal friend to many and respected by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his wife Anita Sue Kirk, one granddaughter Emma Kirk, and both of his parents. He is survived by his children Dustin Kirk and wife Jill of Minco, Oklahoma and Kasi Hilley and husband Obie of Altus, Oklahoma. Two brothers, Bobby Kirk of Altus, Oklahoma and Charles Kirk of Tipton, Oklahoma. Five grandchildren, Madison, Hayden, and Jackson Kirk and Cleila and Jesse Hilley. Several nieces and nephews, and a host of extended family and friends.

His work ethic was legendary, along with his attention to detail and doing a job well. But his lasting legacy is that he was simply a good and decent man who was loved and respected by many. He will be greatly missed.