Oliver Kirksey

When reflecting on the life of Oliver Kirksey, words such as hardworking, focused, and driven come to mind, however, it is also easy to see that there was nothing that was of greater value to him than the way he could bless others around him. He was generous with both his time and resources within the community he called home throughout the majority of his life, and even as he became more mature, Ollie kept right on going. He was a devoted family man who was thrilled beyond measure to witness his family tree blossom to include children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren who filled his heart with both pride and joy. Guided by an unwavering faith, Ollie was a man of strong moral convictions who was a wonderful example of what it means to live a life of purpose. Deeply loved, he will never be forgotten. It seems only fitting that Ollies journey began during a time that was as colorful as he was. It was the Roaring Twenties when the silent film era came to an end, Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh were fearless in the sky, and Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb made baseball Americas favorite pastime. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1924 when William and Willie Jane (Pulley) Kirksey celebrated the birth of the baby boy they named Oliver Columbus on November 25, 1924, in Amagon, Arkansas. He was the third of 11 children, siblings to include his brothers, Elvis and Theodore Ted, and his sisters, Nora Mae, Juanita, Almeeta, Erma Sue, Joy Kay, Dottie, Tabitha Ann, and Kathleen. Oliver, or Ollie as he was often known, was raised on the family farm as his father was a share cropper cotton farmer, and Ollie helped pick cotton from a young age. His mother was a busy homemaker. As a teen, Ollie pulled logs out of the swamp to make railroad ties to earn some extra income while also holding down his studies. His high school years found him at Tilton High School where he was on the basketball team. Ollie left school after the 11th grade to join the United States Navy. These were the days of WWII in the early forties, and he served as a signalman on supply transport ships on both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. After being discharged, Ollie retuned home but soon made his way to Muskegon with a buddy whose wife was from Muskegon. This proved to be quite fateful for him because he soon met her sister, Dollie Bailey. They became friends, but they later began dating. Their love grew over time, and with a desire to establish a life together they were married on October 12, 1946, at Samuel Lutheran Church. Together they welcomed four children including Michael in 1947, Scharlett in 1950, Donald in 1954, and Dennis in 1958 into their hearts and home. Dollies father got Ollie started in a carpentry apprenticeship program, and he was soon working for Clifford Buck Construction Company. The young couple lived in a small apartment for a time but later built a house in Muskegon Heights. When the construction industry slowed a bit, they moved to Detroit for work, but they later returned. Back in Muskegon again, they bought property on Roberts Road in Muskegon Township and lived in a small trailer there until Ollie built the garage. They moved in, and over time they expanded on the house to accommodate their growing family. Later, they built a pool in the backyard, and it quickly became an attraction for all the neighborhood kids. There was never anything that was of greater importance to Ollie than his family. Together they were charter members of nearby Unity United Methodist Church. In the childrens teen years, Ollie purchase a 25 foot boat that they kept at Pointe Marine on Muskegon Lake. They loved spending time out on the water, regularly fishing and taking a trip up to Mackinac Island in the summer. There were also annual smelt dipping trips in the spring as well as fishing trips to Canada in the fall and deer hunting in November with his sons. Later on, Ollie and Dollie purchased her grandmothers farmhouse and 40 acres near Hart, Michigan, and moved there. Over time they completely remodeled and modernized the house. The Farm became a gathering place for the entire family and was the backdrop for priceless family memories. Ollie and his wife often had their grandchildren over for weekends and vacation. There were endless amounts of fun there as they had snowmobiles and ATVs, hay rides, and rescued horses to tend to. The house remains in the family to this day. After moving there, Ollie and Dollie also became involved with the Elbridge Community Church nearby, and Ollie helped with many projects around the church. Throughout his career, Ollie worked several different jobs. After working as a carpenter for different construction companies, he became the business agent for Carpenters Local 100. Ollie then was elected as the treasurer for Muskegon Township, before starting his own company, OK Construction. He was so proud to have his sons work with him. Ollie believed that some people need a second chance and throughout his life he was known to give people jobs to get them back on their feet. He was proud to have served on the Reeths-Puffer School Board for a period of ten years and was a member of the V.F.W. Don Rea Post. Although Ollie officially retired in his sixties, he remained active and never really stopped working. He helped numerous family members build multiple homes over the years because if there was a job to do, he always wanted to help. With his you can do it attitude, it was so hard for his family to keep him off the roof as he got older. This attitude was something that Ollie also passed on to his children and grandchildren. With his adventurous spirit, he took up flying airplanes during retirement and also built several airplanes. When he and Dollie started wintering in Dunedin, Florida, he even trailered his plane down there and often helped the local police in search and rescue missions in his plane. Eventually as they grew older, Ollie and Dollie decided to move back to Muskegon so they could be closer to their children. They attended Central Assembly of God Church, and Ollie also regularly stopped in at his sons businesses to give them his wise council. With his warm and genuine disposition, Oliver Kirksey was the sort of person everyone seemed to know. His deep faith was the roadmap he used to direct his steps, and his spirit of generosity was unmatched. Ollie was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather who leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on. He will never be forgotten. Oliver Columbus Kirksey died on Friday, November 27, 2015. Ollies family includes his wife, Dollie Kirksey; sons, Michael Oliver (Josefina) Kirksey of Naples, FL, Donald (Tracy) Kirksey of Muskegon, Dennis (Cynthia) Kirksey of Muskegon; daughter, Scharlett (Daniel) McKinnon of Muskegon; sixteen grandchildren; thirty-one great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Almeeta Fields, Dottie Wells, Tabitha Ann Murphy, Kathleen Crouch; brother, Theodore Ted Kirksey. Ollie was preceded in death by his brother, Elvis; sisters, Nora Mae Baldwin, Juanita Baldwin, Erma Sue Wells, and Joy Kay Wilson. Services will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, 11:00 a.m. at Central Assembly of God Church, 896 Homes Street, Muskegon MI 49442, with Rev. Wally Reames officiating. Memorials can be made to Western Michigan Teen Challenge. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book