Joel Douglas Kirk

Joel Douglas Kirk, 76, of Brewster, Washington, passed away at his home on March 14, 2026, after a valiant battle with leukemia. Joel was born on March 9th, 1950 to John “Jack” Kirk and Marie Kirk at Brewster Hospital. The middle child, Joel was raised with a strong work ethic and sense of accountability on the orchard and with Granddad Starzman on the North Star ranch. He was active in the Boy Scouts, and then FFA. In high school he had his own business raising pigs with his younger brother. In addition to FFA, Joel participated in basketball, tennis, band, theater, and choir, where he met his sweetheart Debbie Kirk. He spent his summers on the orchard working on the family farm and raising pigs, along with stints in Moses Lake and at North Star ranch.

In 1968, he graduated from Brewster High School and enrolled in Big Bend Community College where he played tennis and focused on an education in teaching Agriculture, while working for his uncle on the Badly Scattered Land Company ranch in Moses Lake. It was during these years he asked Debbie to be his wife, to which she answered yes. The wedding was the second wedding to be performed in the Brewster SDA church. To that marriage was added two sons, Doug and John. Never was there a man more proud of his wife and sons.

Joel worked as a laborer on the Grand Coulee Dam and began the apprenticeship program in Wenatchee, driving two nights a week from Grand Coulee to Wenatchee. Upon graduating, Joel worked as an electrician on the dam, and then projects throughout Washington state. The work began to take him away from home and he decided he needed to be home while his boys were growing up. He began working with his father on the family orchard in Brewster where his father was needing him to come help. Joel enjoyed working with his father and his sons grew up able to work with their dad and grandfather.

Throughout the years, Joel worked to build his community by being deeply involved in his church, youth ministries, FFA, Brewster High School pep band, Kiwanis, Lions club, and coaching baseball and basketball.

Joel accepted the Lord into his heart in 1978 and began a lifelong journey with the Lord. As his sons grew, he realized that he had an opportunity to co-lead the youth ministries with other parents and greatly enjoyed sharing his journey and understanding what issues youth were working through. He led many of the youth meetings as well as outreach, such as trips to Omak for roller skating. Beyond the youth, Joel found enjoyment in ensuring that the church and church school were well maintained and in good repair, specifically the furnace, electrical, and irrigation. He regularly partnered with Mike Hardin on setups for church functions and events. His walk with God and involvement with the church matured as he became a deacon and led Sabbath School lessons.

As the orchard chapter closed, Joel transitioned to working for his friends and neighbors the Crane family on their operation down Crane Orchard Road. He loved working with his high school classmates as well as the Humborg family. Joel loved working with his hands as well as spinning stories, which fit right into Crane & Crane.

As his son left for Iraq, a need opened for someone to take Doug’s place with US Syntec. Again, it was a perfect fit for someone who grew up in the Okanogan valley, had the gift of gab, and loved to work on machinery. He loved meeting new people as well as working with old friends as he made the rounds up and down the valley.

Joel retired in 2015 and his retirement years began a new chapter filled with travel with his family, as well as a greater devotion as a pillar of the church. His travel was not only chasing grandchildren’s events, but also traveling abroad with family to see other aspects of the world. His devotion of time to the church was spent supporting the church family and greater community with anyone in a time of need, as well as leading bible studies.

Joel is survived by his wife Debbie; their children Doug Kirk (Wendy) and John Kirk (Hong), brother John, Jay (Laura), and sister Jane (Pat), as well as three grandchildren; Abby, Gavin, and Lucas, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, John (Jack) Harlan Kirk; mother, Emma (Marie) Kirk; and sister, Judy Evans.

Services will be held at the Brewster Seventh-Day Adventist Church April 4th, 2026 at 2PM with Pastor Perry leading the program with Ariel Fleming leading the eulogy. A light dinner to follow at 5PM in the Brewster SDA Church Fellowship Hall on the lower level of the church.