"J" Rex Kirkham

'J' Rex Kirkham, age 61, a resident of Los Lunas since 1964, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 9, surrounded by his loving wife and daughters, after a courageous battle with cancer.˜ He graduated from Los Lunas High School in 1967 and joined the U.S. Army in 1969, where he was stationed in Germany.˜ 'J' Rex attended UNM and graduated with his B.S. in Architecture.˜ He worked at Luther Construction in Albuquerque before purchasing Fidelity Title.˜ Together he and Georgia worked side by side in the land title business for over 30 years.˜ 'J' Rex loved the western way of life and was a true “cowboy” at heart.˜ He never met a woman without tipping his hat or a gentleman without a firm hand shake.˜ 'J' Rex was a talented artist.˜ Many friends and strangers had a napkin masterpiece sketched by him.˜ He was knowledgeable about many different topics, from hunting to politics.˜ 'J' Rex will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.˜ He was preceded in death by his brother, Kee Kirkham and his sister, Jan Kirkham Duncan.˜ 'J' Rex is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Georgia-Otero Kirkham; daughters, Jennifer Otero and husband, Joseph and Janel Lowery and husband Bryan; grandchildren, whom he was so proud of, Jocelyn, Justine and Janessa Otero and Preston and Parker Lowery; his parents, Jim and Joan Kirkham; brothers, Ked Kirkham and Jeff Kirkham and wife, Sheila and sister, Sue Kirkham all of Utah and brother, Rob Kirkham and wife, Nelda of San Diego, Texas; sister-in-law, Marsha Kirkham of Roswell; brother-in-law, Howard Duncan of Montana; brothers-in-law, Jerry Otero and wife, Madalyn of Albuquerque and Roberto Otero and wife, Gayla of Estancia; and sisters-in-law, Pamela Otero of Los Lunas and Martha Otero of Knoxville, Tenn.˜ He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and special friends.˜˜All services will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tome, beginning with a visitation at 9:30 a.m., on Monday, Feb 14, with a rosary to be recited at 10:30 a.m. and a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m.˜ Interment will be held at a later date.˜ Sign 'J' Rex’s online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

"J" Rex Kirkham

February 11, 2011