Obituary: Kirkpatrick, Herman Leonard Col. Usaf, Ret.
Age 93
(Age 93)
Uncle Kirk died on Thursday, February 4th surrounded by his family.
The only child of E.H. and Parlee Kirkpatrick was born outside Finger, TN on July 22, 1922.
Graduating from high school at age 17 and wanting to fly, he ultimately became one of General Chenault’s Flying Tigers in China during WWII.
He was discharged at the end of the war and was called back for the Korean War.
His military career turned to diplomacy out of the Pentagon when he became Air AttachĂŠat the Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
He also served in Uruguay and Venezuela.
His last assignment was to be Chief of Air Force Foreign Liaison in the office of the chief of staff until he retired in 1976.
He then went to work for Boeing for 18 years in International sales.
He and Maureen, his wife of 64 years, moved to Spokane in 2000 to be closer to family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Maureen and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law.
He is survived by sisters-in-law, Frances Whitehead Smock and Kientzene Felice, both of Spokane, WA; nieces, Deborah Brockman Beard of Little Rock, AR, Cassie Gifford (Lon), Roxie Palmer (Steve), Melinda Kenney (Pat), all of Spokane, WA; nephews, John Lewis Clary (Sugar) of Shreveport, LA and Ken Whitehead (Denise) of Pinole, CA; two goddaughters Melinda Kenney (Pat) of Spokane, WA and Cathy Morrison of Sattellite Beach, FL; many great-nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Thursday 10-5 at Heritage, and a Celebration of Uncle Kirk’s life will be at 11AM Friday, February 19, 2016 at Heritage Funeral Chapel and burial with full Military Honors will follow at Greenwood Memorial Terrace, adjacent to the funeral home.
Memorial may be made to Spokane Humane Society, Hospice of Spokane or a charity of your choice.