Alex Kirk and Syndey Lytle in September 2006 visiting London, England together.

'One of a kind' friend dies in crash

By: Matt Woolbright

Posted: 9/11/08

On Sunday, an Aggie from the class of 2012 died. He was a son, a brother, a boyfriend and a best friend.

Electrical engineering major Alex Kirk, 18, was driving back to College Station from Katy, Texas, when he was involved in a collision four miles south of College Station on Highway 6.

Kirk was born in Portsmouth, United Kingdom, but grew up in Lincoln, England. He moved to Texas the summer before his sophomore year of high school. Three years later, he graduated from Katy High School and began his journey as an Aggie.

An intimate memorial gathering was attended by 10 of his closest friends Tuesday night. They said Kirk was a drummer, reader and runner; but more importantly, he just knew how to brighten someone's day.

"He was the kind of guy who could always crack a joke and be everyone's best friend," said freshman biomedical engineering major Rachel Romanoski.

Although he was 18 years old, Kirk had already left a mark on the world. Nowhere is this more evident than in what his friends had to say about him.

Chris Perry, a freshman computer engineering major, became friends with Kirk his senior year of high school. They had multiple classes together and became close enough friends that they decided to be roommates at Texas A&M.

"He was the perfect roommate: hard working, fun to be around and upright in character," Perry said.

Many spoke of the humor he brought to their lives. Freshman animal science major Katie Mouton said, "I still remember how he used to make fun of us for that way we said water," Katie said.

His friends said Kirk was one of a kind. He was studious and did his homework during lunch, yet was laid back.

"Alex was never problematic, never argumentative. I mean, he wore an untucked shirt to prom. When asked, all I could say was 'that's just Alex,'" said sophomore general studies major Philip Sammons.

Another topic that seemingly never failed to be the cause of laughter when with his friends was his English homeland. One such joke came from sophomore agricultural journalism major Melanie Orth soon after his arrival at Katy. Kirk and some friends were eating and everyone was asking him questions, when Melanie asked, "So Alex, do they have computers in England?"

The response was a blank stare from Kirk and a lot of humiliation on her part for years to come.

Yet another indicator of Kirk's nature was shown in his taste in movies and music, his friends said.

"'Lilo and Stitch' was his all-time favorite movie and I think that describes him so very well," said sophomore zoology major Lindsay Harris.

"He loved all kinds of music, kinda like he loved and accepted all kinds of people," Orth said. "But I especially remember him for the 'Red Hot Chili Peppers;' we used to just hang out listening to them, now whenever I hear them I think of him."

Roughly five months after arriving in Katy, Kirk began a relationship that would last for the rest of his life.

"I remember walking out to my car one day and seeing them in her [Sydney's] car, so naturally I waved to say 'hi.' But when I did, Sydney covered her face and ducked under the steering wheel," said sophomore biomedical engineering major Elizabeth Witts. "Apparently they had just kissed and Sydney was quite embarrassed."

Kirk and Sydney Lytle became a couple the day after Christmas his sophomore year, and never left one another's side.

"He came into [Sydney's] life at the perfect time; he was definitely there for a purpose," said Orth. "Really into all of our lives, we all needed him."

"Alex meant the world to us and his character is summed up by this definition of the origin of his name," said his mom, dad, sister Lauren, and Sydney in an email.

The origin of Alex: A caring person and defender of good causes. He enjoys travel and adventures, but is happiest at home. He is a protector.

"We will never forget," said sophomore biomedical science major Michelle Messa. "But [we] will always use God's words and love to keep us going."

Kirk is survived by his parents, Douglas and Kim Kirk of Katy; his sister, Lauren Amy Kirk; his grandparents, Graham Albert and Leslie Ann Bartley of the United Kingdom; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 27 at the Schmidt Funeral Home Chapel in Katy. The family is requesting gifts be given to the Critical Incident Response Team, c/o Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas, 77480, http://giving.tamu.edu. Another memorial service will be Monday in England.