Darrel C. Kirking, 61

Darrel Kirking, 61, of Post Falls, passed away January 9, 2014, from a tragic car accident, and is with his loving Lord.

Darrel was born July 18, 1952, in Coeur d'Alene to Kenneth and Dorothy Kirking. Darrel is survived by his wife, Terri, of 39 years, two sons, Kamron (Julie) and Tyler (Brittany) and five grandchildren: Kasidy, Ethan, Addison, Kaden and Payten, and Dick and Nadine Finley, father-and mother-in-law, his brother Kevin (Judy) Kirking and sister, Dorene (Pat) Russell; along with many nieces and nephews, and a large extended family. Darrel grew up in Dalton Gardens and graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1970.

Darrel married Terri in 1975 and accepted a job soon after as a stockbroker in Wenatchee. Darrel's gregarious nature worked well for stock trading, but he learned over a few years that he wasn't a stockbroker at heart. He wanted to help clients, not just make money from them. He and Terri returned to Coeur d'Alene where Darrel hired on as a firefighter with the Kootenai County Fire District. Darrel's job was dispatching for 14 MS/fire agencies. Working 24-hour shifts with nearly no downtime was exhausting, but the job met his need to help.

In 1989, he left Kootenai Fire to dispatch for Heartflite Air Medical Transport Service, now Northwest MedStar, as a Communication Supervisor.

In 1999, Darrel and Terri moved to Wenatchee where he found an opportunity he couldn't pass up. He left Northwest MedStar to direct a four-county EMS and Trauma Care Region in North Central Washington. "It was a blast," he said, smiling. But Coeur d'Alene, where his sons, Kamron and Tyler, and five grandchildren lived, beckoned. Darrel loved his work, but he loved his family more. He and Terri left Wenatchee in 2009 and Darrel was hired as Panhandle Health District's preparedness program director. The position was tailor-made for him.

PHD's leadership role in preparedness taps Darrel's strengths. He thrives on uniting people in work toward a common goal. His lighthearted approach and emphasis on teamwork appealed to responders, healthcare workers and others. They wanted Darrel as a leader and friend. "I'm totally sold on the importance of what we do in preparedness," Darrel said. "We're in this mess together." Last year he was elected Chairman of Kootenai County's Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) in January. As chairman, Darrel would meet monthly with representatives of Kootenai County response agencies and organizations to coordinate preparedness activities, plan, train and brainstorm how best to care for Kootenai County residents before, during and after a disaster. He led a regional group of health care organizations in emergency planning. He planned and promoted regional exercises and stimulated interest in new directions, such as community resiliency. As usual, he was happy because he was taking care of people. "I like the staff here. I like the vision," he said of Panhandle Health District.

Darrel's love of his family and his Lord was the essence of who he was. He had no greater joy than attending sporting events, dance recitals, camping trips, fishing, all family gatherings, and going to church with the entire family. Darrel was a small group leader and Coach of other small group leaders for Real Life Ministries. Darrel was charismatic and genuinely cared for everyone he met. He was passionate about Christ and adamant about helping others grow their faith and sharing the Lord with the community one person at a time.

Darrel's blessings in life were his lovely wife, whom he adored, and his sons who were his best friends. His greatest joys in life were to be surrounded by family, create memories, share laughter, and embrace others with one of his priceless hugs.

We will always love you and will never forget your cherished time with us.

A public visitation will be held from 3-6pm on Wed. Jan. 15 at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 North Fourth Street, Coeur d'Alene. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, at Real Life Ministries,1866 North Cecil Road, Post Falls.

In Darrel's honor, his family would appreciate memorial contributions made to local Alzheimer's research at http://www.alz.org/inlandnorthwest/in_my_community_donate.asp.

English Funeral Chapel of Coeur d'Alene has been entrusted to handle final arrangements. Please visit Darrel's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.