May 25, 1947–December 1, 2021 Born at the General Hospital in Eastern Arizona’s then thriving lumber community of McNary, John Kirkpatrick entered the world on May 25,1947. He was greeted by loving parents, Katharine and Leverett and two curious, but suspicious older brothers, Gerald and Dick. In 1950 another brother, Kevin, was born, completing the family. After spending his early years in the White Mountains, John and family moved to Northern California. July of 1952 found parents, four boys, two dogs, but no chicken coops, loaded in the family’s 1949 Plymouth. Leaving behind the familiar Ponderosa pine forests, crossing the Nevada desert, and Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Kirkpatricks arrived in their new home town, Auburn, California. In Auburn Johnny K began school, first at St. Joseph’s Catholic Elementary, then E. V. Cain Middle School, and finally Placer High. A proud Hillman, John took part in a variety of activities, social and athletic. Rumor is that on occasion he opened his textbooks. After graduation, John decided to follow brothers Gerald and Dick back to Arizona to begin college at Arizona State. Now a Sun Devil, Johnny K majored in Business and joined the ATO social fraternity. Here he made many lifelong friends. During his summer months, John worked for Bekins Van and Storage, gaining respect as a hard and reliable worker It was also at ASU that John met, fell in love with, and after graduation married the lovely and irrepressibly funny Charle Chamberlain Settled in Tempe, Charle accepted an elementary school teaching position while John worked first with Bekins, then joined brother Gerald selling life insurance. During their off hours, John and Charle managed to bring two daughters, Marydixie (1972) and Katy (1973) into the family unit. 1976 found the Kirkpatricks on the move with John, following father Leverettʼs footsteps into the lumber business as Sales Manager for McCuen Molding in Sacramento. The Kirkpatricks lived in Auburn, before moving to Lodi in the late 1970s when John accepted a position with American Forest Products in Stockton. John and Charleʼs marriage ended in 1990, and not long after, Johnny relocated in Daphne, Alabama, to become Vice President of Sales with McPhillips Sash and Door. His life in Alabama was rich with work and new friends. In 2015, now retired, John returned to his native Arizona to be closer to family. He lived in San Tan Valley until his death December 1, 2021. John Kirkpatrick made his exit with devoted daughters Marydixie and Katy at his side, the three listening to their favorite Jerry Jeff Walker songs. A memorial is being planned for early 2022. Details will be made available as soon as possible. John leaves behind daughters Marydixie and Katy(Tony), their mother Charle Thomas, granddaughter Isabella Willis, brothers Gerald(Tanya), Dick(Sherri), and Kevin, a host of friends from school and work, and myriad Kirkpatrick cousins. We love him dearly and will miss him. John’s family requests in lieu of flowers you consider donating to either The V Foundation for Cancer Research, 14600 Weston Pkwy, Cary, NC, 27513 or All Hands and Hearts, 6 County Rd., Suite 6, Mattapoisett, MA, 02739.
John Was so beloved by my brother and I, Katy and Marydixie were my best friends growing up. I had the honor to know him while I grew up, in good times and hard times. He was like a second father to me. I loved him and knew him. I was so happy to spend some of the last memories before he past on one special day oin Venice and Santa Monica. My children got to meet him, I’m so thankful for those last moments. His family meant the world to him. I’m so sorry for your loss. May his memory live on forever in the hearts that all who knew him.
Dear Katy and Marydixie I was so sad to see this. Your Dad was such a funny person I’m sure everyone is going to miss him. He always had a smile. Thinking of you both. Janie
I didn’t get to know John well, but my memory of him—decades old now—matches the great picture of him that accompanies this loving and funny obit: Ready with a laugh and a wicked gleam in his eye. I’m not qualified to comment on John’s life, but I know his daughters, Marydixie and Kate, of whom he was very proud, and whatever else his legacy, I’d say he left the world considerably better off than he found it.
My sincerest condolences to all his family and friends.
Cheers John!
Marydixie and Katy. I have lost your phone number somehow. Would love to hear back from you. We miss our buddy so much. He loved you girls so much. We miss him. Love the Turners.
John Was so beloved by my brother and I, Katy and Marydixie were my best friends growing up. I had the honor to know him while I grew up, in good times and hard times. He was like a second father to me. I loved him and knew him. I was so happy to spend some of the last memories before he past on one special day oin Venice and Santa Monica. My children got to meet him, I’m so thankful for those last moments. His family meant the world to him. I’m so sorry for your loss. May his memory live on forever in the hearts that all who knew him.
Dear Katy and Marydixie I was so sad to see this. Your Dad was such a funny person I’m sure everyone is going to miss him. He always had a smile. Thinking of you both. Janie
I didn’t get to know John well, but my memory of him—decades old now—matches the great picture of him that accompanies this loving and funny obit: Ready with a laugh and a wicked gleam in his eye. I’m not qualified to comment on John’s life, but I know his daughters, Marydixie and Kate, of whom he was very proud, and whatever else his legacy, I’d say he left the world considerably better off than he found it.
My sincerest condolences to all his family and friends.
Cheers John!
Marydixie and Katy. I have lost your phone number somehow. Would love to hear back from you. We miss our buddy so much. He loved you girls so much. We miss him. Love the Turners.