Jimmy Wayne Kirchner

Jimmy (Jim) Wayne Kirchner, born March 29, 1947, left us on February 27, 2024. Just 15 short days after his soul mate, Karen (Compton) Kirchner suddenly passed away. 

Jim was born in Oklahoma City to James and Trevlyn Kirchner. He spent the first few years of his life in Amarillo and then the family moved back to Oklahoma City. If he wasn’t helping his father with his upholstery business, he spent much of his early years running the streets of OKC, sneaking into the 89er baseball games with his buddies and even successfully hitch hiking around town when the walk seemed too far. 

He graduated from Northwest Classen High School in 1965 where he was a member of a “secret” fraternity. He spoke very often of his beloved “brothers” and all the ornery fun they once had. Northwest Classen which was “the place to be” he often told us, was where he met the beautiful redhead that stole his heart. 

He and Karen Compton married on December 17, 1966, and lived a wonderful love story. They built their dream home in Cashion, Oklahoma in 1979 and shared it for 45 years. 

Jim had many jobs during his life but the most important and meaningful one was caring for all his grandchildren in their younger years. We know he cherished the time he got to spend with them and the grandchildren cherished it as well.  You could normally find Jim tinkering in his garage, refinishing antique furniture or enjoying the deck that his family built he and Karen. 

Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Karen, his mother and father, his big sister Marsha Kirchner, niece Leah Osborne and granddaughter by marriage Jacie Cochran. Jim is survived by his daughter Kerry (Chris) Cochran, son Kirk (Kristi) Kirchner and daughter Kristen Payahsape. He is also survived by his grandchildren Cayden (Samantha) Cochran, Cale Cochran, Case (Karlie) Cochran, Trae Cochran, Kanon Kirchner, Kash Kirchner, Parker Payahsape and Presley Payahsape and his great grandchildren Posey Rhea, Brady Lyn and Jaxon Jay Cochran. He is also survived by his younger sister Gayle Rada and husband Vince. 

Jim was a loyal, loving and devoted husband, a wonderful father and an adoring “Grampa”. He will be missed by us all, but we are so thankful he’s no longer ill and reunited with the love of his life. We can’t imagine the party he’s having in heaven with Buddy, Bob, Noble, Darryl, Lutz and a host of other friends and family. 

A celebration of Karen’s life was held on February 20, 2024, where fittingly they and their love story were honored beautifully. A graveside service for Jim will be held on March 9, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Cashion Cemetery where we will again pay tribute and lay them to rest together for eternity.