Kenneth Lee Wirt, of Red Oak, formerly of Virginia Beach, passed away peacefully at home on May 2, surrounded by family. He was 96. Born in Beckley, West Virginia on March 19, 1928, he was one of six children of the late Norris Edward Wirt and Bertie Snow Underwood. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy Mae Vines, in 1981; brothers, James, William and Ronald and sister, Kathleen. 

He served in the Navy from 1948-52 as an electrician’s mate and was an employee of the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Co. for more than 37 years, retiring in 1990. He was a Deacon of the Thalia Lynn Baptist Church in Virginia Beach and more recently at the First Baptist Church in Chase City. He was a member of the Wylliesburg Ruritan Club and the Chase City Lions Club. He took pride in his well-manicured lawn, was a handy man around the house but, most of all, loved spending time with his family. 

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, the former Norma Elizabeth Smith; daughters, Sandra (Roger) Campbell of New Mexico and Karen (Michael) Foecking of Maryland; sons, Gary (Diana) Wirt of Missouri and Sean (Amy) Wirt of North Carolina; brother, Bobby; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 

Services were held at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 5, at First Baptist Church with interment following at Public Fork Christian Church Cemetery. 

Wood Funeral Service, Chase City, is serving the family. Condolences may be expressed at www. woodfuneralservice.com.