Paul Edward Kirk, known as "Butch" by his family and "the Baron of Barbecue" professionally, a creative and talented man who was passionate about food and cooking, and who was equally passionate about caring for his family and friends, died on Monday, May 26, 2025, after a long struggle with his health. Paul's wife of 54 years, Jessica, was with him. He was 84 years old – and how very full those years were.
Paul was born August 13, 1941, in Vancouver, British Columbia, to Ed and Mary Kirk. His father was a pilot at the time in the Canadian Air Force before WWII. But Paul lived most of his life in eastern Kansas. He married Jessica, the love of his life, on December 28, 1970.
He was a large figure in so many ways, leaving a giant mark in so many lives. Paul had a booming, commanding and directive voice, unafraid to tell you – sometimes rather bluntly – what he thought and felt. But he was also a "big teddy bear," considerate and kind, generous and thoughtful. He was also humble, wanting his work, his cooking and actions to speak for themselves.
Paul was witty, loved to collect (and tell) jokes, to tease and poke fun. He was also creative with his humor, able to adapt jokes to the person and situation at hand, spontaneously and delightfully. As a father, Paul was also known for his "bad dad jokes."
Paul was a formally-trained Certified Chef, with roots stretching back to his parents' Village Inn Pancake House. He was owner or part-owner of restaurants over the years (Molly Pott's, in Kansas City's urban core, and RUB, in New York City). Paul was featured in an episode with Anthony Bourdain on his food series (A Cook's Tour, Season 2, Episode 7, in case you want to look it up on YouTube), a testament to Paul's expertise and his worldwide reputation. But Paul's deeper love was combining his passion for barbecue with teaching and mentoring others, sharing his skill as a culinary artist. His signature line of advice to his students was: "make it your own." As a testament to his big heart, Paul loved when a student would defeat him in a barbeque contest.
Paul traveled the world to teach barbecue classes, and held the title of World Barbecue Champion multiple times (7-10 times, depending on whom you talk to). He was a member of the Barbecue Hall of Fame and the Kansas City Barbeque Society. He partnered with Sprint for many years, setting up a tent and providing barbeque at Kansas City Chiefs games, both home and away. Paul refined – and perfected – his parent's rib rub, and developed and sold his own Baron of Barbecue sauce (but kept the recipe a closely guarded secret).
Paul was also an author, writing twelve books that feature barbecue recipes. Paul could also bake, once winning a Planter's Peanuts cooking contest that was centered around the ingredient of peanuts!
Paul valued helping others. Before marriage and parenting, he was a teacher (and wrestling coach) at Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas. He volunteered countless hours of his life in such endeavors as helping to feed the homeless and teaching cooking to at-risk youth.
Paul was a lifelong Catholic and a member of Saint Agnes Catholic Church for decades, where he was instrumental in starting the parish Lenten Fish Fry, and also had a "barbeque tent" at the church's annual Fall Festival. Paul was a man of strong faith, with a strong devotion to Mary, as he prayed the rosary regularly.
As a long-time resident of Kansas, it is fitting to recall sentiments of the Great Wizard of Oz, who remarked: "A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." In short, the world is a better place because of Paul Kirk. May he rest in peace, and may we carry on his zeal and passion for living, helping, sharing and loving.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Jessica; two daughters: Chris Angell, Roeland Park, and Erin Kirk (John Warczakoski), Kansas City, KS; sisters Mary Beth Dolan (Terry Dolan), Tulsa; Cathy Cain, Shawnee; Marty Bichelmeyer (Joe Bichelmeyer), Shawnee; Jenny Harris (Rick Harris), Tulsa; and Joyce Gonzales (Marty Gonzales), Atchison; a brother, Tom Kirk (Vicky Kirk), Oregon; and a granddaughter, Savannah Rosumny, Overland Park. Paul was preceded in death by a son, Todd Kirk, in 2019.
Paul's funeral services will be on Friday, June 6, 2025, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 5250 Mission Road, Roeland Park, with a rosary prayed at 9:30 am, followed by visitation, then the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Cremation with private burial.
Please join us for a meal and reception at the church hall immediately following the Mass, to celebrate Paul's life and his love of sharing good food!
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest contributions to either the Angel Fund at St. Agnes Elementary School, or to Kids' Que, through the Kansas City Barbeque Society (
www.kcbs.us/kids_que.php).
Jim Lecluyse
