Jerry Lee Kirk, age 67, from Atlanta, died suddenly December 20, 2011. He is survived by his sister Dara Vega from Miami

Jerry grew up in south Florida and graduated from high school in North Miami. He was active in junior tennis and after high school was a walk on for the Georgia Tech tennis team. He quickly earned a scholarship and played on nationally ranked teams for the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech had many wins over top programs including UGA.

After graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1966, Jerry attended Georgia State, earning a Masters degree in Mathematics. He worked for Lockheed and Georgia Power. Later he taught mathematics at Gainesville Junior college and coached their tennis team to a state title.

Jerry was the Tennis Professional at Capital City Country Club, before becoming Tennis Director for the city of Atlanta, managing Bitsy Grant, Piedmont Park and Chastain. Later he built houses and invested in real estate.

Throughout his post college years, Jerry remained active in tournament tennis and enjoyed particular success as a doubles player. Among his many titles, Jerry won a world doubles gold medal and several national doubles titles. He was ranked the number one doubles player in the nation on at least 3 occasions and number one in the South at least 6 times. Jerry was always a great team player, playing on numerous national championship USTA Intersectional Southern teams, and as many Southern championship Georgia Senior Cup teams.

The tennis community, in Georgia and throughout the nation, mourns his passing.