OBITUARY
Kaden Benjamin Franklin Kirkland left this earth unexpectedly at the age of 24 and went home to be with his Lord and Savior on February 19, 2026.
Also known as Ben to his family and little Bennie to his Mimi was born on June 12, 2001 in Odessa, to Kelly and Robin Kirkland. Kaden grew up in Midland, and was a First Responder with the Midland Fire Department and also had a landscaping business. He graduated from Midland High School and then went on to become a volunteer firefighter where he decided to pursue being a professional first responder. After attending the Fire Academy and EMT Program at Midland College, Kaden was accepted into the Fire Academy with the Midland Fire Department. He was currently working on his Medic Program at the time of his passing.
As a young boy, Kaden loved racing motorcycles beginning at the age of 3 ½ years old when his Pop rigged his first junior motorcycle with training wheels. Traveling around and racing alongside his brother, sister, Pop and Papaw was something that he cherished. Weekends were spent being at Grandma and Papaw’s house in West Odessa for many family events with aunts, uncles and cousins. Around 4th grade Kaden became interested in playing football and continued on to his Senior year in High School. In between, he played a little baseball, but always came back to football. His joy for playing football was more about the friendships that he formed with his teammates. As Kaden grew older, he found a love for being in the gym, lifting weights and helping others find their way in the gym. He enjoyed gardening with his wife and spending time with their dogs and cats.
Hanging out with family and friends were some of his favorite hobbies along with skiing, spending time at the lake and family ranch, hunting, riding motorcycles and 4-wheelers.
He grew up going to church, youth groups, and church camps. He accepted the Lord and was baptized at a young age. He attended Mid-Cities Community Church with his family.
Kaden is preceded in death by his Grandad and MiMi Kirkland, Uncles Jesse Paul “Kirk”, Ken, and Keith Kirkland, Aunt Dedra Vickers, and his 2 favorite doggies Remi and Ginger. He is survived by his loving wife Casey, parents Kelly and Robin Kirkland, brothers; Jacob Kirkland, Kaleb Kirkland and wife Kaitlin, sister Kaitlin Kirkland, Arlan and Pam Vickers known as “Papaw and Grandma”, Uncle Doug and Aunt Cindy Herget, Uncle Tracy and Aunt Tina Bickerstaff, Uncle Jason Vickers, Aunt Debbie Vickers, nephew Noah Kirkland, niece Beverly Kirkland, Uncle Kevin and Aunt Rachelle Kirkland, Uncle Michael and Aunt Paula Lovato, father and mother-in-law Carter and Tina Dawson, brother-in-law Ethan Dawson, brother and sister-in-law Hailey Dawson, Christian Lawson, nephew Maddox Lawson, niece Laelah Lawson many cousins other family, and countless friends.
Ben was such a blessing from God to us all. We are very grateful that the Lord entrusted him to us for 24 years. He is greatly loved and will be sadly missed. The void his passing
has left in his family and friends is indescribable. He loved his wife, family and friends deeply. Kaden’s final resting place will be in Robert Lee. close to his family ranch with arrangements by Shaffer Funeral Home in San Angelo.
A Celebration of Life will be February 27, 2026, 2 p.m. at Odessa Tabernacle Church, 2406 Oakwood Dr., Odessa, officiated by Uncle Doug Herget
The family would like to say how grateful we are for all of the words of encouragement, condolences and prayers that have been sent to us through email, text, phones calls and prayers by family, friends, church family and co-workers.
-From Shaffer Funeral Home
