Roy Cecil Kirkland

Roy Cecil Kirkland, 73, of Dothan, died at his home with his wife at his side, November 10, 2011, of Acute Myeloid Leukemia AML, following a brave and tenacious fight of eleven weeks. During this time, he was able to laugh, pray, and share many precious moments with his wife, his family, and his friends.

rnCecil was born December 16, 1937 in Houston County, AL to T.J. and Luciele Kirkland. He attended Houston County and Dothan schools until enlisting in the U.S. Navy at age 17, anxious to see the world, which he did while serving his country for 6 years. Following his discharge, he lived and worked in the tri-states area, repairing office equipment for over 40 years until retiring from Copy Data in 1999. rnHe is survived by his loving wife and soul mate of over 16 years, Celeste A. Kirkland; his proudest accomplishments, his sons, Richard C. Kirkland Dawn of Panama City, and Paul R. Kirkland Tammy of Tallahassee; his three beautiful grandchildren, Zachary, Emily and Joshua Kirkland; his sisters, Juanita Gardner of Slocomb and Robbie Deese Bobby of Dothan; his brothers, Billy Ray Kirkland Gail of Pensacola and Tommy Lee Kirkland Ann of Midland City; many nieces and nephews; and sister and brother-in-law, Dena and Len Oppenheim of Scottsdale, Arizona, and their sons, Sam Oppenheim Mina of Jackson Heights, NY, and Mike Oppenheim of Oakland, CA. He is also survived by three children of-the-heart, Jonathan Miller, Jennifer Miller, and Jaclyn Miller Wilson and their families. rnCecil was predeceased by his parents; his in-laws, Tony and Mary Provenzano of Tampa, FL; one brother, L.C. Kirkland of Daleville; and one sister, Sara Kirkland Green of Pace, Florida. rnHe was well known for his winning smile, wonderful sense of humor, and avid enthusiasm for golf and Alabama football. A long time member of the VFW Golf Association and Dothan National, he was also a lifetime member and past commander of Dothan VFW Post 3073. rnIn lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Cecil’s memory be sent to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Alabama Chapter, 100 Chase Park 220, Birmingham, AL 35244; Gentiva Hospice, 2740 Headland Avenue, Dothan, AL 36303; or a charity of your choice. rnCecil will be cremated as he wished and a celebration of his life will be held at 3 p.m. on his birthday, Friday, December 16, 2011 at Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home, 1700 Barrington Road, Midland City, AL 36350. rnCecil’s family also wishes to thank all the caring people at Flowers Hospital, Gentiva Hospice, and his many friends who rendered such tender loving care, encouragement, and physical and emotional assistance to him and his family throughout his illness. Burial Date: January 1, 1970