James F. Kirkpatrick

James F. Kirkpatrick, 85 died January 24, 2011 at Northside Forsyth Hospital Cumming GA, after a long illness. Mr. Kirkpatrick lived the majority of his years in his native West Virginia. Mr. Kirkpatrick was born February 5, 1925 in Marlinton, Pocahontas County, West Virginia, the son of French Harmon Kirkpatrick (b. 1895 Pittsburgh, PA d. 1950 Charleston, WV) and Anna Virginia (Richards) Kirkpatrick (b. 1900 Bath Co., VA d. Huntington, WV 1996). Graduated from Marlinton High School in Marlinton, WV, in March 1942, Mr. Kirkpatrick volunteered immediately for military service. He fought in the Pacific Theatre during World War II from 1942 to 1945, when he was honorably discharged as a Radioman Second Class from the United States Navy. He participated in numerous naval battles of World War II, including Saipan, Tinian, and Leyte Gulf. He was awarded the Purple Heart for a minor injury, but refused the medal because he believed his injury unworthy of the Purple Heart s true meaning. While attending Marshall University in Huntington, WV, which in 1949 awarded him a bachelor s degree in journalism, Mr. Kirkpatrick courted and married his life-long companion Betty Rae Loudin. They married in Russell, KY, May 29, 1949. Mrs. Kirkpatrick is a 1949 graduate of the Davis and Elkins College Nursing School, in Elkins, WV. Mr. Kirkpatrick was a 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick resided in South Charleston, WV, for 37 years until they relocated to Cumming, GA in 2008 to live nearer to their children and grandchildren. Mr. Kirkpatrick worked in the insurance industry, as a claims adjuster and later a regional executive with the same firm from 1951 until his retirement in 1989. Mrs. Betty Kirkpatrick retired from her career as a medical-surgical nurse in 1992. Mr. Kirkpatrick was a life-long avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed bird hunting and fishing. He was widely recognized as an uncanny angler for trout in his native West Virginia. He will be missed by his dear friend of eighty years and hunting companion Mr. Arden Curry, Esq., of Charleston, WV. Mr. Kirkpatrick is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Betty Rae (Loudin) Kirkpatrick; four beloved children, James Stephen of Wheat Ridge, CO, Joseph Franklin, of Roswell, GA, Patricia Ann Britz of Suwanee, GA, and Betsy Kirkpatrick Mitcham of Cumming, GA. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick have six grandchildren: Megan Kirkpatrick, Kalen Kirkpatrick, Kelsey Kirkpatrick, Jessica Britz, Bradley Britz, and Lauren Mitcham. He is also survived by his brother, Max Kirkpatrick, now residing in Ohio, and was predeceased by their five sisters: Mildred Sharp, Mable Gum, Maxine Kirkpatrick, and twin sisters Caroline and Charlotte Kirkpatrick who died in early childhood. French and Anna Kirkpatrick had four sets of twins, and James, the only singleton birth in the family. Their fourth set of twins died in childbirth. He is also survived by niece Phyllis Ann (Sharp) Wilbur of North Carolina and nephews Gregory Sharp, Timothy Sharp, residing in Virginia, and Larry Kirkpatrick, and Keith Kirkpatrick of Ohio. Mrs. Kirkpatrick, third of eleven children born to Ray Paul Loudin and Mary Marie (Sturm) Loudin, has 57 nieces and nephews on her side of the family. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 29, 2011 in the chapel of McDonald and Son Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Georgia National Cemetery on January 31, 2011. The family will receive friends from 2:00 3:00 pm prior to the funeral. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Teen Smoking Prevention program of the American Lung Association (www.lungusa.org). Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home & Crematory, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886-9899