Obituaries

David Steward
Services for David “Pete” Steward, 72, of Canton, are set for May 9, 2012, at First Baptist Church of Gun Barrel City with Rev. Byron Jones officiating.
Steward was born Aug. 27, 1939, in Grapevine, to Lois and Willie Powers Steward and died May 3, 2012.
He was a proud service member of the U.S. Navy from 1957-1960. He retired from DFW Airport and spent time as a barber.
He grew up and lived in Grapevine until 1969 when he moved his family to Southlake.
In 1984, he and his wife moved to Cedar Creek Lake where he became an avid fisherman.
In 2010, he moved to Canton. He was a Baptist by faith and a member of First Baptist Church in Gun Barrel City where he was actively involved with Young at Heart Senior Adult Ministries and Meals on Wheels.
He enjoyed riding motorcycles, bluegrass music, and never met a stranger.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Wanda Fay Steward, and sister Dorothy Steward Herring.
Survivors include his son, Keith Steward and wife Laurie of Canton; daughter Kim Heitman of Southlake; three grandsons; three granddaughters; sister Wanda Jackson and husband Billy of Hurst; other family members including his church family and many friends.
A personal tribute may be posted online at www.eubankcedarcreek.com.

Larry Leigh
Services for Larry “Chip” Eugene Leigh, Jr., 48, of Athens, are set for 10 a.m., Friday, May 11, 2012, at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Athens with the Rev. Trevor Morris officiating.
Leigh was born March 17, 1964, in Greenville, Tenn., to Judy Lane Furr and Larry Eugene Leigh, Sr., and died May 6, 2012, in Athens.
He lived in the area the majority of his life, and was a Baptist by faith. He was married to Kimberly Holder Leigh for 22 years.
His admiration for helping people was directly reflected in his ownership of Home Health Specialists Medical Supply and his passion for law enforcement, but most of all in his love and devotion to his family.
He worked for the Gun Barrel Police Department for seven years, the Seven Points Police Department for four years, and was also a reserve officer for the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department.
Survivors include his wife; son Garrett Mason Leigh of Athens; his parents; sisters Donna Isabell of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kristie White and husband Johnny of Athens; brother Gary Don Holder and wife Crystal of Athens; father-in-law Jimmy Don Holder of Athens; numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers are Dustin Isabell, Justin Isabell, Johnny White, Gary Don Holder, David Harris, Jr. and Robby Eckeberger.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 10900-B Stonelake Blvd., Suite 320, Austin, TX, 78759.

Merrill Kirk
Memorial services for Merrill Allen Kirk, 67, of Dallas, will be announced at a later date,
Merrill Allen Kirk, died unexpectedly April 18, 2012, in his home.
Kirk was born March 14, 1945, in Burlington, Iowa, to Mildred and Allen M. Kirk. On April 6, 1968, he married Loretta Oetken and they had two sons. They later divorced.
Mr. Kirk resided for many years in Burlington and had a successful interior design business known as The Dee Mer Shoppe de Kirk. He thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of redecorating his home in Burlington and being able to offer it for Open House for several charities. He moved to Dallas in 1985 and continued to enjoy businesses success, including House of Kirk, Kirk’s Custom Upholstery Co., Kirk’s Le Chateau of Imported Antiques and Reproductions, and The Dee Mer Shoppe de Kirk. He retired at 62.
He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in Iowa and Harrington Institute of Interior Design in Chicago, Ill. He was also a member of numerous organizations including: The American Society of Interior Designers, The Texas Association of Interior Designers, The National Trust of Historical Preservation, and The National Council of Guest Speakers.
He was also an honorary board member of The Dallas Symphony. He participated in many charities which included The Dallas Opera, Dallas Symphony, Dallas Arboretum, Northwood University, Le Femmes Du Monde, Dallas Theater Center, Kidney Foundation, Cattle Barons, Crystal Charity, Dallas/Ft. Worth Ballet and Dallas Bankers Wives.
His interests included being a radio personality discussing design, teaching college level design courses and was affiliated with The Miss America Scholarship Pageant. He was also a well-known guest speaker on many topics of design.
Known for his unique designs for clientele such as Prince Albert of Monaco, Sak’s Fifth Avenue and The Christi Harris Makeover Centers, Merrill Kirk truly lived the “American Dream.” Growing up on a farm in the Midwest, he longed to be surrounded by beauty not beasts. This longing lead him in the direction of design and he never looked back.
He enjoyed his extensive landscaped gardens, cooking, traveling, TV, his dogs and cats, and loved discussing history, religion, any subject that would bring a great debate. Mr. Kirk had a great passion for life and all it had to bring. He was of the Christian faith.
He was preceded in death by his father and infant sister, Karen.
Survivors include his sons, Allen Merrill Kirk II of Wylie, and Ryan Everett Kirk of Dallas; his mother, Mildred Kirk of Winfield, Iowa, sister, Linda Sharp of Winfield, one niece, two nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins, including Loretta Kirk Carlo, whom he considered his best friend.
Per Mr. Kirk’s wishes, cremation has been accorded at Tomlinson Funeral Home.

Willard Hosey
Services for Willard “Bill” Lee Hosey, 75, of Payne Springs, were set for May 10, 2012, at The American Legion in Gun Barrel City.
Hosey was born Sept. 10, 1936, in Attalla, Ala., to Gladys and Marby Hosey and died May 7, 2012. He was one of 11 children.
He served in the U.S. Army for three years then joined the Coast Guard and retired after 17 years.
He received an associate’s degree in heat, air conditioning and refrigeration in the commercial market from Alabama Tech.
He moved to the Cedar Creek Lake area in 1985. He was a member of the American Legion Post 310 of Cedar Creek Lake.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, brothers Willie and Little Ray Hosey and sister Della Mae.
Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Regina; son Laun Hosey and wife Elizabeth; daughter Fawn Anthony; stepsons Ron Foster, Norman Foster and his wife Laura; grandsons Khayman Hosey, Brandon, Jordon and Jeremy; sisters Lois Duncan and family, Hazel and Ed Bradley, Gladys and Diane; brothers Eduard and family, Clarence and family; numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cancer Foundation and The Diabetes Foundation.