Mr. VanKirk last fought professionally in 1995.
"As a fighter, he was tenacious," said Vincent Pettway, a former world welterweight champion who defeated him in 1991 at what was then the Baltimore Arena. "Eddie gave his all. We were friends out of the ring."
Family members recalled that Mr. VanKirk developed a following.
"The whole neighborhood would come out to see him," his brother said. "He lived a big life around Baltimore. People from Canton, Greektown, Highlandtown and all the way to Lansdowne in Baltimore County loved him. He was their guy."
Family members said that over the years, Mr. VanKirk often settled personal scores with his fists. He had a police record for street brawling in Little Italy and in South Baltimore near the Cross Street Market. He later violated his probation and wound up serving time in prison. He spent nearly four years in a Hagerstown correctional facility.
"There was a time VanKirk was considered as much a hell raiser out of the ring as in it. Recently married, he's settled down and taken his training regimen more seriously," the 1984 Sun article said.
In addition to Mr. Pettway, Mr. VanKirk fought Hector Camacho and Vinny Pazienza.
"He was a nice person, but if you got on his bad side, watch out," said Robert VanKirk. "He had a lot of ups and downs in his life."
Services will be held at 8 p.m. today at Charles L. Stevens Funeral Home, 1501 Fort Ave.
In addition to his brother, survivors include two sons, Eddie VanKirk Jr. of Baltimore and Nicholas VanKirk of Florida; two daughters, Jennifer VanKirk and Ashley VanKirk, both of Baltimore; his mother, Letha VanKirk of Randallstown; and two additional brothers, Terry "Van VanKirk" Enos of Matthews, N.C., and Raymond VanKirk Sr. of Hampton, Va. His marriages to Duella Clark and Melody Perry ended in divorce.
jacques.kelly@baltsun.com
