Roy and Jo Nell Kirkland with Nedra(left) and Nelda (above) about 1960	Roy Kirkland Family Texas

Roy Eugene Kirkland
b. May 14,1922 Dallas, TX
d. March 16, 1988 Fort Worth, TX
buried: Fort Worth, TX

m. Jo Nell Rains September 21, 1944
b. March 20, 1926 ?Roscoe, Texas
d. Oct 4, 2005 Arlington, Texas
buried: Oct.7, 2005 Geenwood Memorial Park, Fort Worth, Texas
her father: Noah Rains      her mother: Gladys (unknown)

1922- Roy Kirkland is born in Dallas, Texas shortly after his father's family had relocated there after WWI. His father is a commercial artist primarily doing airbrush illustrations of machines. 

Roy Kirkland was raised along with his sister, Violet (my mother) in Dallas, Texas by his mother after the divorce. They had lost all contact with their father by his apparent choice and remarriage.

1930 - US Census, Texas, Coryell,  Justice Precinct 8,  enum. dist. 50-16, Sheet 13a
This census is interesting because it shows that Ollie is probably not her father.  Gladys had be previously married and apparently had her first child at the age of 20. The remaining question is why are the girls listed here as "Rains". 

Rains, Ollie W.         head       renter    m  w  22 mar   age20    Texas   Texas    Texas   farming     gen. farming
"       , Gladys I.         wife                    f   w   28 mar   age18    Texas   Texas    Texas
"        , Jeraldine G.  step-dau.               f   w  8      s                  Texas    Texas   Texas
"        , Joe Nell        step-dau.               f   w  4.5   s                  Texas    Texas    Texas

Shortly after graduating from high school in Dallas, Roy enlists in the Air Force and goes off to fight over Germany in World War II. He works his way up to co-pilot of B29 bombers. He flies a few mission over Italy as well. Before the war is over he meets and marries Jo Nell Rains.

After returning to the states he gets out of the air force for a while and operates a gas station in Roscoe, Texas. Although he could do the work easily the military offered him opportunities that he decided he needed to pursue. He signed up again and continued his training. He becomes the pilot of B36 stratofortress planes. His work was very much involved in the SAC (Strategic Air Command) program of keeping the Soviet Union's nuclear power under control by constantly flying warheads near their border on the eventuality of nuclear war. As a result of this activity he and his family moved to various locations all across the United States with extended stays in Maine, South Dakota, and Texas. He worked his way up to Major in the Air Force when he retired.

After retirement he had several activities. One passion of his was collecting coins.  He therefore started setting up gum ball machines in various locations just to go through the coins.  He also operated a commercial janitorial business until his death. Jo Nell continues her church activities and keeps close contact with her children and their families.

Nelda Jean marries Theodore Edward Morgan Jr. 1966.

Nelda's children :

Micheal Todd Morgan
Born: January 21, 1967
m. Charlene Kay Coker May 9, 1992
Born: September 28, 1972
Todd's children:

Zachary Michael Morgan
Born: August 27, 1993
Alexander Gene Morgan
Born: March 4, 1996

New Baby
Born:

Jodi Michele Morgan Born: October 16, 1969

Jonathan Dean Lovett Born: March 13, 1981

Greenwood Memorial Park, funeral announcement, Oct , 7, 2005
Jo Nell Kirkland and Nedra Kirkland email

Return to Elroy's Family Index || Ancestor Chart #10

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All information and photos included within these pages was developed by the help of hundreds of researchers. The information here is for the express purpose of personal genealogical research and is freely offered as long as this site is listed as a source. It may not be included or used for any commercial purpose or included in any commercial site without the express permission of Elroy Christenson. Copyright Elroy Christenson 1998-2010.

web pages created by Elroy Christenson- elroy@next1000.com - last updated 8/10/14