Randy Banwart grew up in Kansas but he remembered coming down here to visit family. He had never been in the house before, but he remembers driving past it when he’d visit. He seemed to spend most of his time visiting his cousins as well as Sallie, Jewel, and I think Louise. He shared memories of playing on the railroad tracks and in the cotton fields. He sadly never got to meet his grandfather since he died in WWII. 

Carroll Kirkland was the youngest of eight children born to John Marion Kirkland and his wife Edna Jeannette. One of the children, John, died at 1 year old.  Carroll was born in 1915 at Kirkland House which had been built in 1904.  He grew up in Coppell. He and his wife Catherine had a baby daughter named Beverly Jane before he went off to serve in WWII in Europe.  Sadly, he was killed in action and is buried at the American War Cemetery in Henri Chappelle, Belgium.  Beverly married Marvin Gary Banwart. 

Randy Banwart standing in front of the Kirkland House sign.

Randy Banwart standing in front of the historical marker.

Randy Banwart with his wife and daughter on his right and Alyssa Gray and Delbert Dagel with the Coppell Historical Society to his left.

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Here are some photos of Carroll Kirkland from our photo archive.

Carroll with his older siblings Jewel, Louise, Stringfellow and William H. (W.H.)

Carroll lying on the ground.

Carroll riding a stick horse.

Carroll with a bicycle.

Carroll with his brother Stringfellow.

Article about Carroll being killed in action.

Picture of Stringfellow standing next to Carroll's grave at ​the American Military Cemetery at Henri Chapelle, Belgium.