J.D. “Pete” Kirkpatrick, 1936-2014

J.D. “Pete” Kirkpatrick, 77, of Kennedale peacefully departed this life Saturday, March 29, 2014, surrounded by family. Celebration of life: 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Kennedale. Visitation: with family and friends 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Blessing Funeral Home. {{more}}

 

Pete was born Oct. 6, 1936, in Blum to Walter and Willie Thomas Kirkpatrick. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country for three years. In June 1954, Pete married Maudie Pearl Goodwin and together they shared three sons and one daughter. Pete married Sharon Condra in December 1978 and welcomed two daughters, Tammie and Kari.

 

Pete was known to be a hard-working, good-natured man who always gave to others more than he ever received. His work ethic along with his mastery of building and repairing can be appreciated by all and challenged by none. He truly was the jack-of-all-trades and the master of all. After 27 devoted years, Pete retired from the Tarrant Regional Water District. Pete, a longtime resident of Kennedale, unselfishly served the community as an elected city councilman and mayor pro tem. He also served as an elected school board member for the Kennedale ISD.

 

Pete’s love for sand bass fishing and hunting were special times shared with his sons and, later in life, his grandsons. Many of those special times were shared at the cabin in Bridgeport. Whether it be at the hunting cabin or in his home, Pete would awake all by loudly singing, “Good morning glory ain’t it a pretty Day.” Pete will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

 

He was preceded in death by his wife of 24 years, Maudie Pearl Goodwin Kirkpatrick; his parents, Walter and Willie Kirkpatrick; four brothers, Jim, Tom, Weldon and L.B. Kirkpatrick; five sisters, Peggy Warn, Cynthia Samuels, Fannie “Sister” Brown, Doris Smith and Helen Daniels; daughter, Jani Kirkpatrick Mayse; grandson, Robert Joel Mayse; and great-granddaughter, Taylor Reid Ramsey.

 

Survivors: Those left to celebrate his life are his wife of 34 years, Sharon Kirkpatrick of Kennedale; sons, Jerry and wife, Renay, of Kennedale, Kevin and wife, Donna, of Cleburne and Kent Kirkpatrick of Mexia; daughters, Tammie and husband, Don, of New Braunfels and Keri Kirkpatrick of Kennedale; brothers, Billy Jack and William C. “Speedy” Kirkpatrick and wife, Charlotte; 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.