Obituary: Janice Marie Kirk

Janice Marie Kirk, 66, of Mansfield, Texas, passed away Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. She was born in Dallas on Dec. 28, 1955, to Mary Jane and Henry Odlozil. She graduated from Saint John High School in 1974 and attended Texas A&M University from 1974-1976. She continued her education at the Southwest Training Institute, obtaining her certification in Childcare Professional I in 1990, and later attended East Texas Baptist University in the Continuing Education Child Care Teacher Training Program and Teacher Training program in 1992.

Janice married her beloved husband, James Vernon Kirk, on July 10, 1976. They shared 46 years of loving marriage together and raised two outstanding daughters.

Janice held numerous jobs throughout her working career, many of which dealt directly with children, from group leaders, site management, food program coordinator, accounts receivable specialist, assistant director of operations, childcare supervisor and coordinator, and even a bus driver, when needed.

Janice's passion was shown through her involvement in multiple clubs and organizations as a member, volunteer and in leadership roles. She was a member of the Officer’s Wives Club in Germany, a volunteer for the Red Cross in the clinical lab at the Eglin AFB Hospital in Florida, and an assistant troop leader and senior program specialist for the Circle T Girl Scout Council in the 1990s. She served as the merchandising officer for the For Worth Aggie Mom’s Club, of which she received an honorary life membership. Janice was a parishioner of St. Jude Catholic Parish where she was a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and a member of the Catholic Women's Organization, serving as the breakfast team leader for a number of years coordinating and preparing breakfast for parishioners after Mass on a monthly basis. Janice's involvement in her community and her presence will be dearly missed.

Outside of community service, Janice enjoyed cake decorating, cooking, crafting, bowling, and was a doting mother to her children and later devoted Babí to her grandchildren.

Janice is preceded in death by her father, Henry Odlozil. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her husband, James Vernon Kirk; daughters Kelly Jones and husband Allen of Mansfield, Lisa Speer and husband Grant of Cypress; grandchildren Ryan, Emily, Abigale, Wesley and Elizabeth; mother Mary Jane Slovak Odlozil; siblings; and extensive extended family.

The family has entrusted services to Blessing Funeral Home. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 3 with a rosary at 7 p.m. in the Blessing Colonial Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Jan. 4 with committal to follow at 1:15 p.m. at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in her honor to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at https://www.lbda.org/.

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