MONTE VISTA — Kirk Ray Thompson passed away on January 2, 2021, at his home surrounded by family after a courageous fight with cancer.  Kirk was born in Craig, Colorado on April 16, 1968, to Janet Sue and Darwin Ray Thompson.

The family returned near to the Sanderson family farm when Kirk was 8, and Kirk grew up along with his brother Kelley in the Sargent community north of Monte Vista.  Kirk spent summers building forts and reading Tolkien with his cousins at the Sanderson family cabin and developed a love of the mountains and nature before later working summers as a carpenter with his dad.  Kirk was a dedicated student, musician (like his mother), and a runner at Sargent High School.  Kirk earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering from Colorado State University.  While in Fort Collins, he met his first wife Laura Locker and they returned to the San Luis Valley where they had daughter Kaylie Ray and son Joshua Stewart.  Kirk was preceded in death by Laura and Kaylie.

Joshua is currently an Airborne Ranger in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Kirk was an owner and principal at Agro Engineering, Inc and helped build a successful company that has served the agricultural communities of the San Luis Valley.  At Agro Engineering, Kirk was a prominent water engineer that was known for fair and innovative solutions and worked to maintain the water resources of the San Luis Valley.  Kirk also served numerous area farmers with water management and other crop consulting services.

In 2018 Kirk married Tess Christensen.  He became a loving step-parent to his stepdaughter Cysco Sol Claunch. Kirk and Tess welcomed son Cillian Skye in December of 2018 whose joyful spirit was a delight to Kirk.

Kirk developed a love of Irish and Scottish music, taught himself to play the bagpipes, and played his Highland pipes, Fireside pipes, and Uilleann pipes at numerous services and events. He loved all things Celtic and it led him down the path of learning his own family history; Kirk became the family genealogist in his quest to trace his roots back to Scotland.

Kirk was a man of many other hobbies and activities.  He enjoyed downhill skiing, cross country skiing, backpacking and hiking. He liked good scotch, made the best margarita around and his door was always open to family and friends.  He was also excellent at architectural design, woodworking and brewing beer.

Due to covid-19 conditions, a small service will be held at the Sargent Church on January 8, 2021.  A portion of Kirk’s ashes will be placed in the Monte Vista cemetery and a portion will be spread in the summer under one of Kirk’s favorite trees above the family cabin.  Rogers Family Mortuary in Monte Vista is in care of the arrangements.

To express condolences please visit www.rogersfuneral.com.