James Robert Kirk

James R. Kirk, 68, of Bluffton, SC passed away at his home on Monday, June 7, 2010.He was born in DuBois, Pennsylvania on October 30, 1941. He was the son of the late Joseph and Venetta Fromm Kirk.James received his BS in Biology from the College of the Holy Cross. His MS in Food Science from the Michigan State University and his Ph.D. in Food Science and Human Nutrition from the Michigan State University.He began his career as an Assistant to Full Professor at Michigan State University where he remained for seven years and then moved to Gainesville, FL as the Chairman and Professor of the Food Science Department at the University of Florida. In 1983 he began his career with Campbell Soup Company as Corporate Senior Vice President and President Campbell Institute for Research and Technology. In 1998, James moved to Paris, France as Corporate Senior Vice President with Group Danone. In 2000 until present James was a Food Industry Consultant providing his vast experience and leadership to many businesses.He was a very active member of the Belfair Property Owners Association serving the Fitness Activity Committee, Architectural Review Board and on the POA Board of Directors for three years where he served as President in 2006.He is survived by his wife, Paulette; his sons, James (Barbara) Kirk of Keller, TX and John (Arlyn) Kirk of Plantation, FL; his daughter, Leanne (Byron) Scullin of Naples, FL; his stepdaughters, Michele (Lynn) Dufrene of Raleigh, NC and Robyn DeJong of Winston Salem, NC; one brother, Joseph (Pat) Kirk of DuBois, PA; grandchildren, Grant and Paige Scullin, Aidan, Tyler and Emma Rose Kirk and several nieces and nephews.The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 333 Fording Island Road, Bluffton, SC at 11:00 am, Saturday, June 12, 2010 with internment in the St. Gregory Columbarium. The family requests memorial donations be made to St. Gregory the Great School Scholarship Fund, 323 Fording Island Rd., Bluffton, SC 29909; Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, P.O. Box 3827, Bluffton, SC or the American Cancer Society, 59 Pope Avenue, Suite 101, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928.Sauls Funeral Home of Bluffton, SC is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.saulsfh.com)