LeRoy Dalby Kirkpatrick's Obituary
LeRoy "Lee" Kirkpatrick, 91, was born in Waltonville, Illinois on March 2, 1923. He moved on during the early hours of June 9, 2014 in Houston, Texas. He is survived by his sister Josephine "Jo" Boehm. He has one son, Kirk Kirkpatrick, and three other step-children from his wife of 28 years, Phyllis Kirkpatrick. The step-children are Virgil "Rusty" Votaw, Richard "Allan" Votaw, and Lynn Votaw. He also leaves behind a large number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Of course, there are great-greats as well.
Lee joined the US Navy as soon as his father would allow shortly after World War II began. He served as a 1st Class Gunner's Mate on the USS Lofberg (DD 759) before Epilepsy forced him out of the service in 1952. From then on, he lived a simple life, surrounded by family and fishing. He moved to Texas, started a ranch with his sister and brother-in-law, Jo and Fritz. He was united with his son, Kirk in 1976-long story-and married Phyllis Kirkpatrick that very year, his first and only marriage, at age 53.
His nieces and nephews that loved him dearly-and, who heartily welcomed Kirk into the family-are:
• From his sister Pear Ryder
o Harl "Eddie" Ryder
o Dicy Jane Koch
• From his sister Louise Mick
o Glenda Erskin
o James "Jim" Mick
• From his sister Josephine Boehm
o Jo had no children, but her husband's (Fritz) nephew, Roger "Corky" Jones, was very close to Lee
• From his brother Aram "Pat" Kirkpatrick
o Isaac "Foster" Kirkpatrick
o Aram "Little Pat" Kirkpatrick
o Roxanna Jo Modisette
LeRoy will be missed by his family down here on Earth, but we are all comforted in knowing that he is now with his family in a far better place! We all look forward to rejoining LeRoy, and all of our family members, when the time is right-as he would say.
What’s your fondest memory of LeRoy?
What’s a lesson you learned from LeRoy?
Share a story where LeRoy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with LeRoy you’ll never forget.
How did LeRoy make you smile?