In Memoriam

Buzz (Orin Gordon) Kirk, 83

The final sunset for Buzz (Orin Gordon) Kirk was on November 9, 2024. Born in Klamath Falls, Ore., on September 27, 1941, he spent most of his 83 years living in or near Chiloquin.
Descended from Chief Kelloque, Buzz was the grandson of Seldon and Mary Kirk and son of Friedman and Vina (Smith) Kirk. In addition to his Klamath and Modoc heritages, Buzz’s mother was a member of the Assiniboine Sioux tribe from the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana.

Buzz shared his love of ranching, cattle, horses, and hunting with his children. His pride and love for them was evident whenever he spoke of them. He is survived by his son and daughter in law Danny and Stephanie Kirk of Colorado Springs, Colo.; his daughter Kristin Kirk and his two grandsons – Christopher Kirk-Copple and Kevin Pantoja-Kirk of Redding, Calif.; niece Eleanor Worden of Seattle, Wash.; nephew Jared Worden of New Town, N.D. and nephew Don Gentry of Klamath Falls as well as his Midkiff cousins, Lepha, Donald (Pete) and Charlie. His brother, Gene Gentry, and his sister, Freida Kirk, predeceased him. He is also survived by his closest friend and cousin, Joe Kirk, who was a lifelong good friend. Buzz also leaves many cousins in the Klamath Falls area and beyond.

Buzz graduated from Chiloquin High School, Oregon Technical Institute (now OIT), and Southern Oregon College (now SOU) with a BA in Business Administration.

Raising cattle and hunting were the core of Buzz’s life, but he also excelled in golf and bowling, which remained important to him his entire life. Besides being an Oregon Ducks fan, he also watched many other sports on TV.

Buzz was actively involved with the Klamath Tribes and served on many committees throughout his life. Buzz worked with Dr. Doug Deur, an anthropologist and writer – for over two decades. Dr. Deur said this about Buzz: “He had a major role in so many things. Our research was to protect tribal interests on all kinds of culturally significant land and resource issues – and he made a major difference in helping protect all kinds of important things. Rights of access to fishing and berry picking places, protection of old village sites and prayer places. The Klamath Dam removal effort might not have gone so well for the tribe without our work. And loads more. That was just our collaboration, but he was also active in many aspects of tribal government ….and all those committees (Elders Committee, Culture and Heritage, etc.). And almost anything the tribe did relating to the history of termination and trying to “fix the damage” still today – he was a huge part of that work for the tribe.”

All his family and friends will miss Buzz. Graveside services will be held in the spring at Wilson Cemetery in Chiloquin.