NASHVILLE, TN (WGNS) – A man who loved Murfreesboro and its people passed away early Wednesday morning (8/12/2026) at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital in Nashville. Larry Russell Kirk, age 82, died with his wife, Cathy Fitzpatrick Kirk, by his side. For decades, Kirk was one of those familiar names woven into the fabric of the city — a steady, good‑natured presence who believed deeply in public service and in the people who call Murfreesboro home.
Kirk spent much of his career at the Murfreesboro Electric Department, where he served as manager and the department’s primary public contact. He oversaw operations for a utility of roughly 80 employees, guiding the organization through years of growth with a reputation for professionalism, reliability, and a calm, collaborative approach. Residents who dealt with him often walked away saying the same thing: Larry Kirk treated people right.
His commitment to service extended well beyond the utility. Kirk was a past president of the Murfreesboro Rotary Club (1997-1998), one of the city’s first civic organization. Friends and colleagues remember him as a leader who didn’t just talk about service — he lived it. Whether it was Rotary, community projects, or simply lending a hand where one was needed, Kirk showed up. He believed in Murfreesboro, and Murfreesboro believed in him…