James Marion Kirkland, age 68, of Williamsburg went to heaven on January 21, 2020 after a long battle with a rare autoimmune disease, inclusion body myositis.

Jim was a career soldier and served in the U. S. Army for over 30 years as a Military Policeman and retired as a Command Sergeant Major.  Throughout his career he served in many roles.  He was a skilled Military Police Investigator, an uncompromising and committed Drill Sergeant, a talented instructor and a proud paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division.  Jim served in numerous Military Police units around the world to include Ft. Bragg, NC; Ft. McClellan, AL; Ft. Greely,  AK; Ft. Pickett, VA; Ft. Monroe, VA; Seoul, South Korea, and Ft. Riley, KS.  His numerous awards and decorations included the Drill Sergeant Badge, Parachutist Badge, five Meritorious Service Medals and a Legion of Merit.

After his military retirement, he continued to serve the U.S. Army for 16 years as a Dept. of the Army civilian working with the U. S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Provost Marshal Office as an Antiterrorism Officer where he was recognized for building one of the best antiterrorism programs in the Army.

He was known for his kind and gentle guidance, his commitment to the personal success of all those he knew. Jim encouraged everyone to “make every day matter.” He met every stage of his life with courage and renewed zeal yielding fullness of spirit and experiences. He loved the Lord with all his heart and soul, and God’s love flowed through him into others.

Jim is survived by his adored and adoring wife Cynthia Anderson Kirkland and their daughter Kristi Kirkland Rowe and her daughters Emma Grace and Aria; his son Brian and his daughter Lucy.

He shared a very close relationship with his in-laws: Pamela Cobb (John) and their daughter Kerri Harrison (Tommy); Kimberly Anderson; David Anderson (Stuart) and his sons Tysor and Walker; and Kerri Anderson. He is also survived by his sister Patricia Allison (David) and brother William (Barbara). He is preceded in death by his father Marion Guy Kirkland, his mother Lucille, and his brother Daniel.

For all who wish to honor his life, a graveside service will be held at Williamsburg Memorial Park Cemetery, 130 King William Drive Williamsburg, VA on February 7, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to “Johns Hopkins University” ℅ Funds for Johns Hopkins Medicine, 550 North Broadway Suite 731 Baltimore, MD 21205 with a note indicating the donation is in memory of Jim Kirkland to benefit Dr. Tom Lloyd’s IBM Research in the Department of Neurology.

Memorial gifts  can also be made securely online at https://secure.jhu.edu/form/n or the button at the top of the page.

Cremation Society of Virginia-Newport News assisted the family with arrangements.