He was born on August 6, 1946 in Bonham, Tx., the son of John VanKirk and Edna Haggard Vankirk.  He married Lidia Martinez on June 7, 1996 in Del Rio, Tx.  He was an avid sportsman, loved hunting and the Hill Country of Texas.

He is survived by his wife Lidia VanKirk of Kerrville, Tx.; daughter Marisa Newman of Pottsboro, Tx.; daughter Denise Cravens of Sherman, Tx.; daughter Tammi Veronesi of Brenham, Tx., sons John Christopher VanKirk and Matthew Marcus VanKirk  both of Kerrville; mother Edna Van Kirk of Bonham, Tx.; and seven grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 7-8PM Thursday, May 31, 2007 at the funeral home. 

To send an online condolences go to http://www.coopersorrells.com/.