Kirk, the son of Walton and Gertrude Kirk, grew up in Mount Vernon, Illinois and graduated from Mt. Vernon Township High School in 1942. While in high school, Kirk played basketball and was a second team all-state selection in 1942. He then attended the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign where he played basketball. He received his Bachelor Degree from the University of Illinois in 1947 and his Masters Degree from Loras College in 1972. He married Alyce "Joan" (Hitter) of Ottawa, Illinois on September 11, 1949. While at Illinois, he earned varsity letters in from 1943–44 through 1946–47. In 1944–45, Kirk led the team in scoring at 10.6 points per game while also serving as team captain. He garnered consensus First Team All-American status at the end of the season as well. Kirk was named captain of the 1945–46, however, he would be called to service and miss the season.\n', '

Kirk would go on to play professionally after his senior year of 1947–48. In four NBL/BAA/NBA seasons, Kirk played for five different teams: the Fort Wayne Pistons, Indianapolis Jets, Anderson Packers, Tri-Cities Blackhawks and Milwaukee Hawks. In April 1949, while a member of the Jets, Kirk joined former teammates George Glamack and Leo Mogus to sue the organization for $4,662.51 each. The three of them had been released from the team and they cited poor management and administration on the part of the Jets as the reasons why they were unable to be retained.\n', '

He later coached high school basketball in Illinois and Iowa.\n', '

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