Obituary of Cleo L. Kirkland

Cleo L. Kirkland Cleo L. Kirkland, a 60-year resident of Olympia, died in her sleep at home on June 30, 2011. She was 86 years old. Cleo was born to Lloyd and Leona Murrey on December 7, 1924 in the front parlor of her pioneer grandparent’s, William and Jennie Murrey, home outside of Elma. She was once given a pony that her father had caught from a wild herd of horses near Tenino. She attended school in the area and graduated from Elma High School. Cleo met her “handsome soldier husband,” Hubert (Kirk) Kirkland from Alabama, while he was stationed at Camp Murray, which is now the Elma Fairgrounds. They were married 46 years before his passing on February 23, 1989. After WWII, Cleo and Kirk moved to Olympia where they raised their three children on a farm in the Chambers Lake area. Cleo worked for the State of Washington as an accountant for 54 years. She received three Ralph Monroe longevity awards. Cleo loved traveling in her motor home. She would take anyone that would go with her. Her last big trip was with her 90-year-old mother to California's Catalina Island, down to Tijuana, back up to Arizona to attend Mariners spring training, then to Las Vegas to see a Mariners game and some shows in Vegas, and then home. Cleo also enjoyed fishing—all kinds of fishing: surf fishing, lake fishing, salmon fishing , shrimp fishing, and setting her crab pots at Hood Canal; she was a master of all of them. She loved gardening and baking pies. On many occasions you could see Cleo mowing her yard on her riding lawn mower at 11:00 p.m., using her head lights. Her doctor once said, “Cleo, you’re a slow learner,” as she visited him for the second time with her hand injured by the lawnmower. Anyone who knew Cleo, knew she was one of a kind. Cleo is survived by her daughter, Linda; sons, Kenny (Barb) Kirkland and Larry (Kim) Kirkland of Olympia; brother, Edward Murrey of Olympia; 13 grandkids; 20 great grandkids; and 4 great-great grandkids. Preceding her in death are her husband, Hubert (1989); and grandson, Josh Kirkland (2011). At Cleo’s request, there will be no service. If you wish to make any sort of donation in her name, please make that donation to Tumwater High School Football and Band programs, or to the local Audubon Society. Please leave memories or condolences for the family by clicking on "View Guestbook" below.