Kirk was born June 20, 1962, to the late Rose Baptiste and Dr. H Prentice Baptiste in Beaumont, Texas. He was the second of four sons - H Prentice Baptiste (Jill Baptiste) of Dallas, Texas, Reginald Baptiste M.D. (Hope Baptiste) of Texarkana, Texas, and Kenneth Baptiste of Austin, Texas. He spent an early part of his childhood in South Bend, Indiana, and later during middle school, he moved with his family to Houston, Texas. Kirk, like his brothers, always considered Houston home.
He graduated from James Madison High School in Houston, Texas, in 1982. At Madison High School, he found his immense talent and passion for track and field. He distinguished himself immediately on the track as a sprinter and eventually as a high school All-American. As a senior, he won the silver medal in the 400 meters in the Texas State 5A track championship. After posting the nation's fastest 400 meters for a high schooler, he was recruited heavily by over 75 colleges and universities and eventually decided to stay close to home and join the highly regarded track program at the University of Houston.
At the University of Houston, he developed into a world-class sprinter. He did not waste time at U of H, placing third in the 200 meters at the NCAA track and field championship as a true freshman. He later won the 200 meters at the 1984 and 1985 NCAA championship meets. He culminated his standing in the track world when he won the 200-meter silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Later that year, he ran the world's best time ever (at the time) in the 300 meters. He competed in Europe and worldwide professionally and as part of the USA track team, winning many national and international events. He was one of the first athletes ever to be ranked number one in the world in both the 100 and 200 meters.
Because of these accomplishments, he was inducted in 2008 into the University of Houston Hall of Honor.
However, Kirk's accomplishments on the track were just a small glimpse of his spirit. Especially to his brothers, he will always be and remain the heart of our family. Our mother was the rock, and Kirk was truly the heart. He would never fail to remind us of a birthday or special event, prodding us (in true Kirk fashion) to make that call. He was often unfiltered and spontaneous, but his megawatt smile would always win the day. The same megawatt smile that later landed him many modeling opportunities in the 1980s. He never ceased to amaze us with his ability to incite laughter even when discussing challenging topics.
Kirk loved his three brothers and always encouraged everyone to come together. He adored his nieces and nephews and always thought of them as his own. He was especially adept in the kitchen and loved to cook for himself and others. As is common in life, our struggles bring humility and service to others, and Kirk was a true testament to this. Whether working for the Texas Key, A Caring Safe Place in Houston or volunteering at the Omega House in Houston, Kirk worked as a faithful servant of God. In addition, to his brothers, he leaves a stepmother Dr. Lesley McAvoy-Baptiste, a stepbrother & stepsisters - Alexis Baptiste, Austin Baptiste, and Allison Baptiste-Palmer of Houston, Texas.
Published by Houston Chronicle on Apr. 1, 2022
He graduated from James Madison High School in Houston, Texas, in 1982. At Madison High School, he found his immense talent and passion for track and field. He distinguished himself immediately on the track as a sprinter and eventually as a high school All-American. As a senior, he won the silver medal in the 400 meters in the Texas State 5A track championship. After posting the nation's fastest 400 meters for a high schooler, he was recruited heavily by over 75 colleges and universities and eventually decided to stay close to home and join the highly regarded track program at the University of Houston.
At the University of Houston, he developed into a world-class sprinter. He did not waste time at U of H, placing third in the 200 meters at the NCAA track and field championship as a true freshman. He later won the 200 meters at the 1984 and 1985 NCAA championship meets. He culminated his standing in the track world when he won the 200-meter silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Later that year, he ran the world's best time ever (at the time) in the 300 meters. He competed in Europe and worldwide professionally and as part of the USA track team, winning many national and international events. He was one of the first athletes ever to be ranked number one in the world in both the 100 and 200 meters.
Because of these accomplishments, he was inducted in 2008 into the University of Houston Hall of Honor.
However, Kirk's accomplishments on the track were just a small glimpse of his spirit. Especially to his brothers, he will always be and remain the heart of our family. Our mother was the rock, and Kirk was truly the heart. He would never fail to remind us of a birthday or special event, prodding us (in true Kirk fashion) to make that call. He was often unfiltered and spontaneous, but his megawatt smile would always win the day. The same megawatt smile that later landed him many modeling opportunities in the 1980s. He never ceased to amaze us with his ability to incite laughter even when discussing challenging topics.
Kirk loved his three brothers and always encouraged everyone to come together. He adored his nieces and nephews and always thought of them as his own. He was especially adept in the kitchen and loved to cook for himself and others. As is common in life, our struggles bring humility and service to others, and Kirk was a true testament to this. Whether working for the Texas Key, A Caring Safe Place in Houston or volunteering at the Omega House in Houston, Kirk worked as a faithful servant of God. In addition, to his brothers, he leaves a stepmother Dr. Lesley McAvoy-Baptiste, a stepbrother & stepsisters - Alexis Baptiste, Austin Baptiste, and Allison Baptiste-Palmer of Houston, Texas.
Published by Houston Chronicle on Apr. 1, 2022
Kirk was born June 20, 1962, to the late Rose Baptiste and Dr. H Prentice Baptiste in Beaumont, Texas. He was the second of four sons - H Prentice Baptiste (Jill Baptiste) of Dallas, Texas, Reginald Baptiste M.D. (Hope Baptiste) of Texarkana, Texas, and Kenneth Baptiste of Austin, Texas. He spent an early part of his childhood in South Bend, Indiana, and later during middle school, he moved with his family to Houston, Texas. Kirk, like his brothers, always considered Houston home.
He graduated from James Madison High School in Houston, Texas, in 1982. At Madison High School, he found his immense talent and passion for track and field. He distinguished himself immediately on the track as a sprinter and eventually as a high school All-American. As a senior, he won the silver medal in the 400 meters in the Texas State 5A track championship. After posting the nation's fastest 400 meters for a high schooler, he was recruited heavily by over 75 colleges and universities and eventually decided to stay close to home and join the highly regarded track program at the University of Houston.
At the University of Houston, he developed into a world-class sprinter. He did not waste time at U of H, placing third in the 200 meters at the NCAA track and field championship as a true freshman. He later won the 200 meters at the 1984 and 1985 NCAA championship meets. He culminated his standing in the track world when he won the 200-meter silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Later that year, he ran the world's best time ever (at the time) in the 300 meters. He competed in Europe and worldwide professionally and as part of the USA track team, winning many national and international events. He was one of the first athletes ever to be ranked number one in the world in both the 100 and 200 meters.
Because of these accomplishments, he was inducted in 2008 into the University of Houston Hall of Honor.
However, Kirk's accomplishments on the track were just a small glimpse of his spirit. Especially to his brothers, he will always be and remain the heart of our family. Our mother was the rock, and Kirk was truly the heart. He would never fail to remind us of a birthday or special event, prodding us (in true Kirk fashion) to make that call. He was often unfiltered and spontaneous, but his megawatt smile would always win the day. The same megawatt smile that later landed him many modeling opportunities in the 1980s. He never ceased to amaze us with his ability to incite laughter even when discussing challenging topics.
Kirk loved his three brothers and always encouraged everyone to come together. He adored his nieces and nephews and always thought of them as his own. He was especially adept in the kitchen and loved to cook for himself and others. As is common in life, our struggles bring humility and service to others, and Kirk was a true testament to this. Whether working for the Texas Key, A Caring Safe Place in Houston or volunteering at the Omega House in Houston, Kirk worked as a faithful servant of God. In addition, to his brothers, he leaves a stepmother Dr. Lesley McAvoy-Baptiste, a stepbrother & stepsisters - Alexis Baptiste, Austin Baptiste, and Allison Baptiste-Palmer of Houston, Texas.
Published by Houston Chronicle on Apr. 1, 2022
He graduated from James Madison High School in Houston, Texas, in 1982. At Madison High School, he found his immense talent and passion for track and field. He distinguished himself immediately on the track as a sprinter and eventually as a high school All-American. As a senior, he won the silver medal in the 400 meters in the Texas State 5A track championship. After posting the nation's fastest 400 meters for a high schooler, he was recruited heavily by over 75 colleges and universities and eventually decided to stay close to home and join the highly regarded track program at the University of Houston.
At the University of Houston, he developed into a world-class sprinter. He did not waste time at U of H, placing third in the 200 meters at the NCAA track and field championship as a true freshman. He later won the 200 meters at the 1984 and 1985 NCAA championship meets. He culminated his standing in the track world when he won the 200-meter silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Later that year, he ran the world's best time ever (at the time) in the 300 meters. He competed in Europe and worldwide professionally and as part of the USA track team, winning many national and international events. He was one of the first athletes ever to be ranked number one in the world in both the 100 and 200 meters.
Because of these accomplishments, he was inducted in 2008 into the University of Houston Hall of Honor.
However, Kirk's accomplishments on the track were just a small glimpse of his spirit. Especially to his brothers, he will always be and remain the heart of our family. Our mother was the rock, and Kirk was truly the heart. He would never fail to remind us of a birthday or special event, prodding us (in true Kirk fashion) to make that call. He was often unfiltered and spontaneous, but his megawatt smile would always win the day. The same megawatt smile that later landed him many modeling opportunities in the 1980s. He never ceased to amaze us with his ability to incite laughter even when discussing challenging topics.
Kirk loved his three brothers and always encouraged everyone to come together. He adored his nieces and nephews and always thought of them as his own. He was especially adept in the kitchen and loved to cook for himself and others. As is common in life, our struggles bring humility and service to others, and Kirk was a true testament to this. Whether working for the Texas Key, A Caring Safe Place in Houston or volunteering at the Omega House in Houston, Kirk worked as a faithful servant of God. In addition, to his brothers, he leaves a stepmother Dr. Lesley McAvoy-Baptiste, a stepbrother & stepsisters - Alexis Baptiste, Austin Baptiste, and Allison Baptiste-Palmer of Houston, Texas.
Published by Houston Chronicle on Apr. 1, 2022
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