Born in 1984 in Ladner, John W. Kirkland was prominent member of the community for many years.
Growing up and educated in Delta, Kirkland was a farmer who was interested in municipal affairs. He served as a municipal councillor from 1937 to 1944 and became reeve of Delta in 1945. He served as reeve until 1959, and again served on municipal council from 1960 to 1964, when he retired.
He married Esther Lindseth in 1917 at the home of her parents. They had two sons, Edwin and Lloyd, and a daughter, Elaine.
When he and Esther celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1967, they had 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He died in 1973.
