Obituary for Donald Kirkpatrick

Donald Lee Kirkpatrick

March 16, 1938 – September 27, 2018

Donald L. Kirkpatrick was born on March 16, 1938 in Oklahoma City. He left this earth September 27, 2018. He grew up in Tonkawa attending schools there. In lieu of graduation, he joined the Air Force in March 1957. Donald was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base and started his career in broadcast communications. Due to failing a hearing test, he was later moved to administrative duties and stationed at Chennault Air Force Base and later in Wiesbaden, Germany and ended his time in the military at Edwards Air Force Base. After discharge from the military, he began his civilian career in broadcasting and communications. Donald was a camera operator for TV station KAET in Phoenix, Arizona where he met and married Patricia Jester. They later moved to Albuquerque, NM where he worked for KZRR. He moved back home to Oklahoma and worked for KOCO (5), KWTV (4) and later, in Tulsa working for KJRH (2). He also worked in Radio Broadcasting for radio stations in New Mexico, California, Oklahoma, Idaho and Washington. While in Oklahoma, he worked at WBBZ and KLOR in Blackwell. His career in communications allowed him to meet and interview several famous people including Tex Ritter, Jimmy Wakely, Charles Stewart, Steve McQueen, Bob Hope, Ben Johnson, Mickey Gilley and many others.

While living in Bayview Idaho, he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and created the first tourism pamphlet for the area. He was also responsible for fundraising and securing donated items for the first mountain/lake rescue team in the Tri-county area. Don never lost his love for planes; he maintained contact with many aviators and organized the largest air show in the state of Idaho at that time to include his good friend, Astronaut Rick Hauck. His love for aviation led him to become good friends with Dr. Forrest Bird, aviator and inventor. Dr. Bird invented the Bird Machine, a respirator that kept his daughter alive when she was born.

Don loved to learn so at age of 57 he went back to college at NOC where he earned two degrees simultaneously, one for Photography and one for Journalism. Don was also a weather enthusiast. He was a storm spotter for KFDI in the early 70’s and was Emergency Management Director for the Town of Braman for 15 years and later, assistant director. Don loved to meet people and talk. He was very excited that his grandson took him to the fair this year. Don was one of the first people to call when needing donations. He had a way of getting what was needed. Any fund raiser in town or area disaster he was one of the first ones out working to get things donated. He was an avid OU Sooner Fan and loved to hunt, fish, read and put puzzles together with his good friend, Norma.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris Kirkpatrick Foy, stepfather, Eugene Foy, brother, James Morrow, two step-daughters, Michelle Werner and Deborah Whaley, and a nephew, Bruce Wilson. He is survived by his daughter, Shawn Shirley and Nonnie Rowe Jr. of Braman, brother, Gary Wilson and Linda of Perry, OK, grandchildren, Kirk Shirley and Misty Cocker of Braman, Jessica Hooper, Long Beach California, Wendy Werner of California, Brandon Werner, Chicago, Ill, Heidi Werner of Wichita, KS, Brett Werner of Sioux City, Iowa, Liz Wong of Albuquerque, NM, Phyllis Wong of San Fransico, CA, Phil Wong and Gary Hernandez of Wichita, KS, and Jason Alley and Cherice of Newkirk, OK, great-grandchildren, Hunter Mayer, Halie Shirley, Jaykob Shirley, Kirk Shirley, Shaedren Werner, Nate Werner, Logan Bui , Linden and Lilman Werner, Sage Demory and Mia Gallegos, Alexis and Lilly Wong, Skylar, Varonika, Vivian and Ezekial Hernandez, William and Gracelynn Alley as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Friends and loved ones may pay their respects at Trout Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Tonkawa on Monday, October 1, 2018 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm and on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. A funeral ceremony for Don will be held at Braman United Methodist Church on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 2:00 pm with burial to follow at Floral Ridge Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Nonnie W. Rowe, Jr., Kirk P. Shirley, Jaykob P. Shirley, Kirk A. Shirley, Jason Alley, and Dennis Bonewell. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Jack Casto, Norma Taylor, Janice Engelhardt, and Terry Sizemore. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Tonkawa.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials to the American Legion Henessey-Cunnignham Post 259 or Braman United Methodist Church Good Samaritan Fund, 120 Eaton Ave., Braman, OK 74632.

Source: Trout Funeral Home