An emotional crowd of more than 1,000 mourners paid tribute Saturday to the Rev. Danny Kirk Sr., who was fatally beaten Monday inside the church where he was pastor, Greater Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church in Forest Hill.
Forest Hill police said Kirk was attacked with a guitar by Derrick Birdow, who crashed his Mercury Grand Marquis into a church wall, then grabbed the instrument and assaulted the pastor and a janitor, who was injured. A church secretary hid and called 911.Birdow's wife said her husband had a history of mental illness but couldn't get care.Kirk's family and congregation are having a difficult time, but through prayer they will make it through this tragedy, Pastor D.L. Winkley of Holy Tabernacle Church International in Mesquite said after the service at Fort Worth's Great Commission Missionary Baptist Church."They're sticking together; they're praying," Winkley said. "It's been rough on his wife, his son and the whole church."Winkley said being so close to Kirk made it extremely challenging to speak at the service."It was conflicting," he said. "I have to be confident for the family but I have to deal with my own emotions. It was difficult."Winkley said the most powerful part of the service was when Kirk's son, 17-year-old Danny Kirk Jr., sang Never Would Have Made It."It stirred our emotions," Winkley said. "He was super courageous."Earlier, Winkley told mourners: "We didn't come to mourn a defeat, we came to celebrate a victory. This tabernacle we live in, these bodies are decaying daily. We have another building, not made by man's hands."It wasn't a typical memorial service, said Carlos Black, the funeral director. "It was church," Black said. "Praising God and thanking God for the life of Danny Kirk Sr."Winkley said he, the Rev. Mark Harris and the Rev. Kenneth Sayles played golf with Kirk every Tuesday."Now there's one missing," Winkley said. "We'll be playing Tuesday in memory of him."Susan McFarland,817-390-7547Twitter: @susanmcfarland1Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
