Dodge City - Eric Bryan Dirks was born to Kenneth and Mary Alice Dirks on March 5, 1960 in Denver, Colorado. He passed away of natural causes at his home in Dodge City, Kansas on May 3, 2021 at the age of 61 years.

Eric returned to rural Copeland, Kansas with his parents after their term of 1-W service. He grew up on the farm and completed nine grades of school at Copeland. Afterward he took a G.E.D. test and received a high school diploma.

Eric enjoyed his childhood and early youth years. He gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized on February 3, 1974 by Minister Harold H. Koehn at the Montezuma congregation. In his later youth years, he began to struggle with mental illness. His illness became a handicap for him through the rest of his life. Eric and Glenda Schmidt were married on December 21, 1981. A stillborn daughter and two sons were born to this union.

They lived in the Copeland community for a time where he was employed by various farmers. They later moved to Rich Hill, Missouri where he worked in lawn care and making firewood. After a number of years Eric returned to live in Dodge City where he spent the remainder of his life. He could be seen riding his bike in town almost every day. Occasionally he would ride his bike the 30 miles to Montezuma to visit his parents.

Eric possessed an exceptional memory and enjoyed recounting events and experiences of the past. He could recall the names of people he worked for and was involved with back to his childhood days. He was a generous person, sharing what he had with others. He had many personal and spiritual struggles through his life. He was concerned about his salvation and visited about it numerous times with his uncle in Dodge City. We trust him into the hands of a merciful God.

He is survived by his two sons, Landon Roy and Quinn Patrick, both of Joplin, Missouri; parents, Kenneth and Mary Alice Dirks, Montezuma, Kansas; brother, Brent and Debra Dirks, Montrose, Colorado; and sister Rosalie and Randy Koehn of West Union, Iowa. His infant daughter, Gayla Rose preceded him in death.

The family wants to thank those who have shared with them in their sorrow. The cards, flowers, calls, food, and your sympathy have been deeply appreciated. We want to especially thank the personnel at Compass Behavioral Health of Dodge City for their kind assistance and support for Eric.

Funeral service will be held at Montezuma Mennonite Church on Monday, May 10, 2021 at 10:30.  Burial will follow at Montezuma Mennonite Cemetery.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel of Montezuma on Sunday, May  9, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.  Memorials are suggested to Compass in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.