Sfc (Ret)Joseph Dirks

Joe – an Army veteran with two tours in Iraq and loving father of four – passed away at his residence in Junction City, Kan. at the age of 47.

He is survived by wife Georgia Dirks of 22 years and four wonderful children Christopher, Jacklyne, Rebecca and Johnathan Dirks.

Joe is also survived by mother Sandra Dirks and fathers Richard J. Burda and Donald Louis Dirks; by brothers Donald Lee Dirks, Shawn Burda and sisters Shannan Nishida and Cathi Burda and grandmother Ruby Frampton.

Joe was born in Grass Valley, Calif. and raised in California before enlisting in the Army in 1985 at the age of 21. He became a decorated Cavalry Scout and honorably served his country for 20 years. He retired at Fort Riley, Kan. in 2007.

During his distinguished career, Joe earned numerous honors and was most proud of his two Bronze Stars with Valor and two Purple Hearts. Three of his most prized non-combat awards included induction into the Audie Murphy Club, the Order of Saint George and earning a Recruiter Ring. "My greatest military achievement was bringing ALL my soldiers home safely to their families," he once wrote.

After retirement, he became a supervisor at a local Footlocker warehouse where he was well liked and respected by friends and coworkers.

He loved being a husband and father and cherished the holidays with his family. He enjoyed gaming with friends, Ford Mustangs, and his favorite dog, a black English Labrador named Bear. And he always enjoyed a pack of Camel cigarettes and a Pepsi.

A visitation service will be held Sunday, January 22, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel, 203 N. Washington St. in Junction City. A funeral service is at 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012 at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery, 5181 Wildcat Creek Rd, Manhattan, Kansas with the Fort Riley Honor Guard performing military honors. Memorial contributions have been designated to Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 8773, PO Box 286, Junction City, KS 66441.

You will be dearly missed. We love you, Joe.