Donald Kirkpatrick

This obituary is written by me about me. I was born August 15, 1929, in Sentinel Butte, ND to Charles M. Kirkpatrick and Elsie Carlson Kirkpatrick. I was the third youngest of 4 children. My mother died when I was three years old. My father was remarried to Grace Moyer. I left home when I was 13 years old and stayed with a relative and went to school and worked at a grocery store in the afternoon. This all took place in Stockdale, Ohio. My dad came and took me to Idaho. There I finished the 10th grade and went to work for the Idaho National Forest Service and was placed on a lookout tower in the summertime. That is where I found my higher power whom I chose to call God. I have said the Lord’s Prayer every day since. I have had three spiritual awakenings. I joined the Army in January 1946 at the age of 16, in Fort Lewis, Washington. And then went to Fort Sam Houston, Texas for my basic training. Then was shipped to Fort Richardson, Alaska into the 171st Signal Corps where I became a cable splicer. I was promoted to the rank of Staff Sargent, in charge of three telephone exchanges, construction and repair. I came to Montana on military leave and met Pat Lund in Wibaux, Montana. She and three other girls came to Alaska to work in civil service, and we were married December 31, 1948, in Palmer, Alaska. To this marriage 3 children were born, Gary, Deb, and Candis. I took an Alaskin Discharge, and came to Billings, Montana in 1949 to work for Mountain Bell Telephone Company. Working there for 35 years before retirement in December 1983. I worked 2 years contracting after retirement. I was an avid hunter and sportsman. Hunting and fishing most of my time in Montana. I was a bowler and won Montana Men’s State Doubles in 1959 with Sylvan Graff. I played golf and had 2 holes in one on the Par Three course in Billings and a hole in one, Eagle, at Peter Yegan in Billings. I shot trap and won awards in A, B, C, and D divisions. Loading my own shells was an enjoyable hobby, and I won a Bronze Medal in the Big Sky Olympics. After living most of his life in Billings, Don and his wife Pat move to Glendive in 2017. At that time Don became a resident of Eastern Montana Veterans Home (EMVH) until his passing. Don was a member of the Billings Shrine Clown Unit, bringing many years of joy to adults and children. He also dressed up as Honey Dew the Clown for grandchildren’s birthdays, tying balloons and playing magic tricks. While at EMVH he was honored with a handmade Quilt of Valor by the local Quilters of Valor Foundation. Don also received the High Honorary of being a Scottish Rite Mason for Fifty Years. Don was preceeded in death by his wife Patricia, and daughter Debbie Newell. Don’s survivors include son Gary and wife Cathy of Glendive, MT, son-in-law Tom Newell of Hodges, MT, daughter Candis and her husband Tom Parker of Billings, MT; sister-in-law Ethel Lund of Carlyle, MT; seven grandchildren; granddaughter Danielle and husband Ryan Burrows of Laurel, MT, granddaughter Jenny and husband Scott Ree of Wibaux, MT, granddaughter Jill and husband Shawn Wilcox of Glendive, MT, grandson Carl Newell, FT Smith, MT, granddaughter Carly and husband Kent Kahl of Wibaux, MT, granddaughter Calee and husband Todd Schlaebitz of Port Orchard, WA, granddaughter Lexi and husband Ricardo Aguilar of Granite Falls, WA; 19 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Memorials can be made to the Wibaux Endowment Fund, PO Box 248, Wibaux, MT 59353, Eastern Montana Veterans Home, 2000 Montana Ave, Glendive, MT 59330, Billings Scottish Rite, 514 – 14th ST W, Billings, MT 59102 or your local Masons/Shriners organization. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com. Family service plans are pending.

Donald Kirkpatrick

August 15, 1929 - February 9, 2024

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Donald Kirkpatrick

August 15, 1929 - February 9, 2024

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support