Tim Allen was profoundly moved by Erika Kirk’s eulogy for her deceased husband, stating that her words motivated him to finally forgive the person responsible for his father’s death over six decades ago.
The 72-year-old Home Improvement star revealed he’s battled for more than 60 years with forgiveness toward the individual who caused his father’s death. However, it was Erika’s tribute to her husband that freed him to eventually forgive.
‘When Erika Kirk expressed forgiveness towards the man who killed her husband by saying, “That man … that young man … I forgive him,” it had a significant impact on me,’ Allen shared on X this Thursday.
At the age of 11, Allen’s father, Gerald Dick, died in a drunk driving incident while returning from a football game in Colorado, accompanied by his wife and several children in the car.
‘For more than 60 years, I’ve struggled to forgive the man who took my Dad’s life. Now, as I write this, I say: “I forgive the man who killed my father.” Wishing peace for everyone.’
Famously known as the voice of beloved Toy Story character, Buzz Lightyear, Allen said he has never been the same since the day his father died.
Tim Allen was profoundly touched by Erika Kirk’s tribute to her husband, using it as an inspiration to forgive the person who ended his father’s life back in 1964.
The Home Improvement actor, 72, said he has struggled for over 60 years to forgive the man who killed his father, but it was Erika’s memorial speech to her late husband that allowed him to finally ‘forgive’
‘(He) broke his neck and died in my mom’s lap right there,’ Allen said in a 2006 interview.
‘As many times as I’d relive this – if you haven’t had a death in your family, I don’t suggest it – but it certainly changes every single thing. From your cells and DNA, it turns a different color.’
Years later, in a 2012 interview, Allen admitted he has been looking for answers ever since his father’s untimely passing.
‘Part of me still doesn’t trust that everything will work out all right. I knew my father was dead, but I was never satisfied with why he was dead. I wanted answers that minute from God. ‘Do you think this is funny? Do you think this is necessary?”
‘And I’ve had a tumultuous relationship with my creator ever since,’ he said.
Kirk’s widow delivered the moving tribute to her late husband during a memorial ceremony at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday.
Erika Kirk delivered the moving tribute to her late husband during a memorial ceremony at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday
Her husband, Charlie Kirk (right), was shot-and-killed while speaking at a public event in Utah on September 10. He was the founder of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative politics on high school, college, and university campuses
Kirk’s assassin, Tyler Robinson, 22, is now facing several charges, including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and violent offense in the presence of a child
The service was attended by over 90,000 people, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Elon Musk, among others.
‘Our Savior said, “Father, forgive them, for they not know what they do.” That young man … I forgive him,’ she said, through tears. ‘I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it’s what Charlie would do.’
Her husband, Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot-and-killed while speaking at a public event in Utah on September 10.
Charlie Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative politics on high school, college, and university campuses.
He was the victim of a ‘political assassination’ at the hands of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.
Robinson is now facing several charges, including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and violent offense in the presence of a child.
