Gerald Kirksey

POINT CEDAR — Gerald “Jerry” Kirksey, age 83, of Point Cedar, passed away Tuesday, April 13, 2021.

He was born May 20, 1937, in Fendley, the son of Leonard Kirksey and Myrtie Roberts Kirksey. On Sept. 1, 1957, he was married to JoAnn Knight. He was preceded in death by his son, Gerald Rodney Kirksey; and his brother, Bill Kirksey.

He was employed by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department as a party chief in the Surveying Division for 30 years and 10 months. After retiring in 1986, he entered the logging business for a few years and later re-entered surveying for private contractors. He raised cattle, horses, mowed and bailed hay his entire life and he enjoyed every aspect of it. He also milled logs in his one-man sawmill for several years, producing some of the most beautiful cedar, walnut, oak and pine lumber. He thoroughly enjoyed getting on his backhoe, digging up stumps and rebuilding the roads on the farm.

He is survived by his wife, JoAnn Kirksey of Point Cedar; his daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and Merlin Harris of Little Rock; his granddaughter, Hailey Kirksey of Amity; his faithful, Mountain Cur dog, Blitzy; and numerous close friends, his Point Cedar buddies.

Graveside services will be 3 p.m. today in Free Hill Cemetery, Point Cedar, with Brother Tim Jordan officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Free Hill Cemetery Association, c/o Richard Knight, P.O. Box 126, Arkadelphia, AR 71923.

Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Glenwood.

Guest registry is at http:// www.davis-smith.com.