George "Jerry" Gerald Kirchoff

George Gerald “Jerry” Kirchoff was born into this world in Mishawaka, Indiana to his loving parents, Halbert Wilhelm and Leona Edna (Seirp) Kirchoff on September 6,1926 at the family home. On August 28 2025, in Pampa, a week before his 99th birthday, Jesus called him Home.

Services and the celebration of his birthday will be held on Saturday September 6, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Trinity Fellowship Church, 2225 N. Hobart in Pampa with Pastor Mike Borger presiding. The graveside service will be 2:00 PM, Saturday at Memorial Park Cemetery in Amarillo. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, September 5, 2025 from 6:00-7:30 PM at Carmichael Whatley Funeral Directors, 600 N. Ward St, Pampa, Texas.

In 1928, George rode standing up in the back seat of his Dad's Ford Model A to Halfway, Texas, where he went to school and grew up working on their farm along with his older brother, Robert and younger sister, Pat. George had many good recollections of his younger years, as well as in his later college career at Texas Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering School, later named Texas A&M University, in College Station, Texas. He joined the United States Navy during the middle of World War II and served as a radar officer on the brand-new Destroyer, the USS Hollister.

After graduating Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering on June 3, 1949. George moved to Lubbock to work for what was then Pioneer Natural Gas. His work required him to visit the County Courthouse where he met the beautiful Dorothy Nell Merrick. It was love at first sight, and they were married at Dorothy’s aunt’s home on August 6, 1954. They settled down together and welcomed their two children, Janet and Gary. George continued his work and civic activities (including chasing invisible burglars out of the house for Janet), and Dorothy was diligent in her roles as a wife and homemaker. In 1971, to their surprise (and their older children’s dismay!), youngest daughter Amy was born, proving wrong the idea that two children were enough. They spent many years traveling together to places such as California and Virginia, Hawaii & Canada. A transfer with the gas company took them to Amarillo, Texas in 1979. George and Dorothy shared 43 years of love and adventure together until Dorothy was unexpectedly called to her heavenly home in 1997.

George met Arlene Gibson of Pampa, Texas, and they were married on August 30,1997. They enjoyed 24 wonderful years of new adventures together until Arlene entered her eternal rest in 2022. George then moved into Meredith Court senior living, where he was loved by everyone-residents and staff-who knew him. He spent Saturday mornings playing bingo or visiting with his daughters and a very special kitty named Jinx. Although George hardly ever let on, her presence brought him a sweet, simple joy as she snuggled down next to him in his chair. There were many hours of joy and laughter on those Saturdays!

George was a true man of God-steadfast in faith, gentle in spirit, and a quiet strength in our family. His prayers, wisdom and love will never be forgotten. May we take comfort knowing he is now resting in the arms of the Lord, whom he served so faithfully. His presence will be deeply missed. He loved his root beer–especially root beer floats– gardening, a good football game on TV, strawberry malts and woodworking.

George was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert; and sister, Patricia; his wife, Dorothy, and second wife Arlene.

He is survived by his daughters, Janet Kirchoff Sanders (Johnnie) and Amy Kirchoff of Pampa; his son, Gary Kirchoff (Kathleen) of Richardson, Texas; grandchildren, Aubrey Kirchoff Werzner (Konrad) of Pflugerville, Texas, Kara Kirchoff of Beecave, Texas, Garrett Kirchoff of Richardson, Texas and Tiffani Kirchoff of Pampa, Texas, and his great grandson, Viktor George Werzner of Pflugerville, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the staff of Meredith Court Senior Living Facility, and Enhabit Home Health Care for everything they have done for dad and the family.