Kirkham leaves mark on Liberty County

russell.payne@thevindicator.com The community is mourning the loss of former Liberty County Judge Lloyd “Tookie” Kirkham, who passed this week at the age of8i.

Kirkham, who had suffered a stroke in recent years and had been battling health issues, died Monday, April 29.

The first county judge elected from Tarkington, he was elected to three terms, serving Liberty County residents from 1994 to 2006.

Kirkham is remembered as a friend and mentor by those who knew him and an advocate for the county who cared deeply about public service.

County Judge Jay Knight was saddened by the news of Kirkham’s passing and recounted conversations with his predecessor.

“He was fun to sit down and talk with and bounce ideas off. You might give him 10 reasons why something works, and he’d give you one idea that would shred your idea, but at the same time, he’d make you think,” Knight said.

DeDe Taylor, who serves as Court Coordinator under Knight, recounted numerous times that Kirkham would stop by to visit the office, saying he would gaze into his old office and just say, “a lot of good memories.”

Pct. 2 County Commissioner Greg Arthur remembers Kirkham as fair and even more so as a friend.

“We were good friends, and I’m going to really miss him cause every two or three weeks, I’d go up there and visit with him over the last 10 years. We’ve had a lot of great experiences and great times together. I just can’t believe it,” Arthur said.

Knight echoed Arthur’s sentiments, talking about those front porch chats over coffee with Kirkham, even recounting that, at times, they would load up in the truck to see some of the changes happening around the county that meant so much to Kirkham.

“ He was all about the people. All I can tell you about him was it was always ‘what can we do to help folks.’ I’m going to miss him, I’m going to miss him,” Knight said.

Liberty County District Attorney Jennifer Bergman spoke about the long family friendship she shared with Kirkham and the legacy he leaves behind.

“Judge Kirkham’s legacy of service and unrivaled passion for Liberty County made him an exceptional County Judge and public servant. We will be forever grateful to him for the years he spent dedicated to our county and its future,” Bergman said. Bergman remains grateful for the friendship she shared with Kirkham and is thankful he is in a better place.

“My heart is saddened at this tremendous loss, but I know that he is rejoicing in the arms of Jesus, and in that, I know we can all find solace,” she said.

Liberty County Democratic Party Chairman Michael Mark remembered Kirkham’s years of service to the party and county and the relationship they formed.

“Judge Kirkham was a good friend and a wonderful mentor. I worked with him when he was the Liberty County Democratic Party Chair, Liberty County Judge, and on the Liberty County Grand Jury when I worked for the Liberty County District Attorney’s Office. He left an indelible mark on Liberty County and he will be missed,” Mark said.

Kirkham was also a standout athlete at Tarkington High School, where he was all-state in basketball and football while winning state in the high jump. He would receive a basketball scholarship to the University of Corpus Christi, now Texas A&M – Corpus Christi.

In 1964, he married his high school sweetheart Cordella, with whom he raised two daughters and would become the proud grandfather of four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Services for Kirkham are planned for Saturday, May 4, at Rural Shade Baptist Church in Tarkington, with a visitation set for 1 p.m., and a memorial service will follow at 2 p.m., with burial to follow at Oak Shade Cemetery.