A. Dolphus Kirkland

A. Dolphus Kirkland was born in McAlester, Oklahoma, to Maxine Vera (Parks) of Oklahoma and Adolphus Kirkland of Arkansas. In 1941, his family moved to Los Angeles, CA, where his dad later owned 2 gas stations in Pasadena. Until the age 17, A. D. was known as Royce, the name his mother, Maxine, said she gave him. Unbeknownst to him & Maxine, his dad named him after himself, Adolphus. However, a nurse at the hospital miswrote his name on the birth certificate as A. Dolphus. A favorite story was that he was Royce south of Bakersfield and A. D. north of…..(the rest of the story later)!

Royce attended John Muir High School where he played baseball and football, but most notably, he was a record-holding hurdler in track. From this experience, he had a life-long love for track and field.

After buying his first car, Royce conveniently had the tools in his dad’s stations to constantly modify it to race in the streets. He always beat his competitors, including best buds, Darryl (Joe) Mitchell and Charlie (Chuck) Hunter. Chuck would just grumble and shake his head! From these years, already having a love for cars, racing became one of A. D.’s favorite sports. A catch-phrase he NEVER failed to tell you when you left his house was, “Keep it under 100!” as he saluted your departure! An L. A. boy through and through, his love for sports never waned. He was fiercely loyal to his Rams (Lambs), Dodgers (Blue Crew) and Lakers (Fakers). USC would have been his college if he hadn't joined the USAF.

Growing up with him was his adoring younger sister (only by 13 mos), Mary Ruth, who in later years he called “old woman”, and she retorted “old man”! Mary Ruth's daughter, Jan, was nick-named Skinny Minny by Uncle Royce, and he taught Jan’s daughter, Trisha, how to drink Bloody Marys - “Hold the groceries” - leave room for liquor!

In December,1956, at age 17, due to extenuating circumstances at home, A. D. joined the USAF. He was assigned to McClellan AFB in Sacramento, CA. The military identifies you by your last name (Kirkland), first name (A) and middle initial (D) - Kirkland, A. D. So, the rest of the story is …. he was now north of Bakersfield and became A. D. to all his family and friends!!

Technical Sgt. A. D. Kirkland became an Airborne Radar Supervisor for the Early Warning and Control Squadron - AWACS (look it up). The plane, unarmed and equipped with radar, was used to detect and track the bad guys then relay that info to appropriate armed personnel who eliminated the “blip” on the screen. He became a decorated Vietnam War veteran who flew over 365 missions and was awarded multiple medals - the most notable were the Purple Heart (wounded in line of duty), Bronze Star (heroic achievement in a combat zone) and 9 Air Medals (meritorious achievement during aerial flight). He was honorably discharged Nov. 14, 1974. From his Air Force career, he acquired a love for flying, space travel and just a curiosity of what the universe encompassed.

While assigned to McClellan AFB, Sacramento, he met Charlene Smith and they married Dec. 14, 1958. They had four sons, Royce Darryl, John Preston, Philip Darcy and Alton William. Raising his sons, he enjoyed attending their football games and eventually became a volunteer coach at Hiram Johnson High School where he met one of his best friends and forever “brother”, coach and teacher, Eural (Smud) Smothers. Together they poured their hearts into mentoring under-privileged kids so they could, hopefully, achieve a better life.

After his discharge from the AF, A. D. held several jobs and eventually became employed with the USPS in 1983. There, he met Janet Edwards, in late 1983. They were friends and coworkers for several years, then life-changing events occurred, and in 1990, they combined households. They were married August 18, 2004.

He was so much more than husband, Dad, Pops, Grandpa, Pop-Pop, Pop-Pop-Pop (great-grands name for him). He was also a brother, uncle, friend, co-worker, coach, colleague and most of all - LOVED!

A. D. leaves his wife, Janet; sons Royce (Terri), Philip (Kowjuana) and Alton; grandchildren, John Preston Kirkland II (Femi), Kaliah Kirkland, Royce Kirkland Jr., Jennifer Kirkland, Ryan Kirkland (Floral), Philip Kirkland Jr., Marina Kirkland Mitchell ( Spencer), Nicholas Alexander, Joshua Kirkland, Keoni Kirkland and Cate Kirkland; great grandchildren, Autumn Kirkland, John Kirkland III, Christopher Hewitt, Jr., Jae Kirkland, Camden Kirkland and Summer Kirkland; sister, Mary Ruth Draine (Philip), niece Jan Gronewold (Scott), nephew Gary Dalrymple; great niece Trisha Murphy (Brandon); great great nieces Savannah Schuler and Grace Murphy and great great nephew Brice Schuler

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