Thomas "Kirk" Bagwell, 76 of Newark passed away on February 11, 2026 at Arlington Care Center.   He was born on June 25, 1949 in Ocean Port, NJ to the late Benjamin JC and Claire Arlene (Moriarty) Bagwell and was raised in Galion, OH where he began his love for music and playing the trumpet with Galion High School.  Kirk was a proud Veteran of the United States Armed Forces, and served both in the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and then later in the US Navy where he served as an Aviation Fire Control Technician.   He went on to receive an associate's degree in electronic engineering technology from the Electronic Technology Institute and had a long career working as an engineering technician and specialized in radio frequency testing.   Kirk was an avid reader, chess player, and music lover, and enjoyed teaching others to grow in their own knowledge of the game as well as growing as musicians.  In his latter years, Kirk came to love church, the Bible, and most of all, his Savior, Jesus Christ. He loved reading the Word of God and talking about the Bible with those around him.   Kirk was known as a gentleman and brought laughter and joy into the room wherever he went.

Kirk loved his family, and is survived by his daughter, Amanda Smith, son-in-law, Jerry Smith, grandchildren Jordan, Jackson, and Clara, great-grandson, Brixton, his sister, JoAnne Claire, brother-in-law, John Pusieski, niece Jessica Claire, and great-niece Olivia Locke.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers Louis and Benjamin Bagwell, and son Michael Bagwell.

The family will receive friends from 4-6pm on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at Life Tabernacle, 2689 James Rd., Granville. The funeral service will follow at 6pm. Private burial will be held on Thursday at Dayton National Cemetery.

To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com.