Virgil Kirk Sr., one of the first chief justices of the Navajo Nation Supreme Court, died on Wednesday. He was 82.

Kirk was considered one of the pioneers of the Navajo Nation justice system. He served as a district court judge from 1960 to 1970 before becoming the third chief justice from 1970 to 1978.

Kirk was a U.S. Marine who served in World War II, where he was captured as a prisoner of war.

Funeral services will be held December 7 in Shiprock, New Mexico.

Get the Story:
Former Navajo justice dies at 82 (The Farmington Daily Times 12/2)
Navajo judicial great passes away (The Native American Times 12/1)
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Pioneer of Din� justice dies (The Gallup Independent 12/1)