Changes

​

​

Kirkpatrick (no middle name) was born in [[rural]] Glenmora in south Rapides Parish, to Eugene Kirkpatrick (died 1956) and the former Arlie Gill (died 1981). The senior Kirkpatrick operated a sawmill in Glenmora and then, when Claude was six years of age, relocated to  [[Lake Charles]] in Calcasieu Parish in southwestern Louisiana. He was a tie inspector servicing the Louisiana, [[Texas]], and [[Arkansas]] area for [[Southern Pacific Railroad]]. He attended public school and graduated in 1934 from Lake Charles High School]<ref name=statement>Statement of Edith Killgore Kirkpatrick, September 8, 2008.</ref>​

Kirkpatrick (no middle name) was born in [[rural]] Glenmora in south Rapides Parish, to Eugene Kirkpatrick (died 1956) and the former Arlie Gill (died 1981). The senior Kirkpatrick operated a sawmill in Glenmora and then, when Claude was six years of age, relocated to  [[Lake Charles]] in Calcasieu Parish in southwestern Louisiana. He was a tie inspector servicing the Louisiana, [[Texas]], and [[Arkansas]] area for [[Southern Pacific Railroad]]. He attended public school and graduated in 1934 from Lake Charles High School]<ref name=statement>Statement of Edith Killgore Kirkpatrick, September 8, 2008.</ref>​

 

He then enrolled at Baptist-affiliated [[Louisiana College]] in [[Pineville, Louisiana|Pineville]] and in 1938 received a Bachelor of Arts degree in [[history]].<ref name=bm>{{cite web|url=http://www.baptistmessage.com/articledetail.php?articleID=1592|title=Claude Kilpatrick|publisher=''The Baptist Message''|accessdate Unknown; no longer on-line.}}</ref> There, Kirkpatrick met his future wife, the former Edith Aurelia Killgore (born November 14, 1918) of the Lisbon Lisbon]] in [[Claiborne Parish]] in north Louisiana. They married in 1938 after both graduated from college.<ref name=statement/>​

He then enrolled at Baptist-affiliated [[Louisiana College]] in [[Pineville, Louisiana|Pineville]] and in 1938 received a Bachelor of Arts degree in [[history]].<ref name=bm>{{cite web|url=http://www.baptistmessage.com/articledetail.php?articleID=1592|title=Claude Kilpatrick|publisher=''The Baptist Message''|accessdate Unknown; no longer on-line.}}</ref> There, Kirkpatrick met his future wife, the former Edith Aurelia Killgore (born November 14, 1918) of the Lisbon Lisbon]] in Claiborne Parish in north Louisiana. They married in 1938 after both graduated from college.<ref name=statement/>​

 

Prior to and during [[World War II]], Kirkpatrick worked in [[petroleum]] production in Sulphur in Calcasieu Parish. He twice volunteered for military service but was told to remain in an essential war-related industry. In 1945, the couple moved to Jennings, where they operated four businesses: a car dealership, a [[lumber]] company, a trucking firm, and a [[sporting goods]] store. The Kirkpatricks had four children: Claude Kent Kirkpatrick (1942–1945), Thomas Killgore Kirkpatrick, I (August 19, 1944 – October 13, 2009),<ref name=thkirk>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-killgore-kirkpatrick&pid=134373194|title=Obituary of Colonel Thomas Killgore Kirkpatrick|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advpcate]]''|accessdate=October 15, 2009}}</ref> Edith Kay Kirkpatrick (born 1946), and Charles Kris Kirkpatrick (born 1948). Both surviving children are [[attorneys]] in Baton Rouge.<ref name=statement/>​

Prior to and during [[World War II]], Kirkpatrick worked in [[petroleum]] production in Sulphur in Calcasieu Parish. He twice volunteered for military service but was told to remain in an essential war-related industry. In 1945, the couple moved to Jennings, where they operated four businesses: a car dealership, a [[lumber]] company, a trucking firm, and a sporting goods store. The Kirkpatricks had four children: Claude Kent Kirkpatrick (1942–1945), Thomas Killgore Kirkpatrick, I (August 19, 1944 – October 13, 2009),<ref name=thkirk>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-killgore-kirkpatrick&pid=134373194|title=Obituary of Colonel Thomas Killgore Kirkpatrick|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advpcate]]''|accessdate=October 15, 2009}}</ref> Edith Kay Kirkpatrick (born 1946), and Charles Kris Kirkpatrick (born 1948). Both surviving children are [[attorneys]] in Baton Rouge.<ref name=statement/>​

​

​

The Kirkpatricks's son,  Thomas Kilgore Kirkpatrick , was  an attorney who received a [[Juris Doctor]] degree from [[Louisiana State University]]. He began a 30-year military service in 1969 as a private in the [[United States Army]]. He obtained a commission in the Judge Advocate General's Corps and served four years on active duty, having reached the rank of captain. He joined the Louisiana National Guard in 1975 and served as a military judge, state judge advocate, and retired commander of the 61st Troop Command. Kirkpatrick also served as general scounsel of the National Guard Association of the United States. His many military citations included the Legion of Merit]] and four [[Bronze Star]]s with Oak Leaf cluster,. After his retirement from the private practice of law in Baton Rouge, Kirkpatrick assumed the director's position with the National Guard's Youth Challenge program. His final government service was as general counsel for the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Under Governor [[Kathleen Blanco]], he was named the state coordinating officer and alternate Governor's authorized representative for the relief of [[Hurricane]]s [[Hurricane Katrina|Katrina]] and [[Hurricane Rita|Rita]]. Thomas Kirkpatrick, who died of [[cancer]] at the age of sixty-five, was married to the former Sandra Futrell of Pineville and was the father of two children, Thomas Kirkpatrick, II, and Mildred Kathleen Kirkpatrick.<ref name=thkirk/> Sandra Kirkpatrick's father was [[P. Elmo Futrell, Jr.]], the [[mayor]] of Pineville in the early 1960s and a prominent Baptist layman.<ref>"Services set for former Pineville Mayor Futrell", ''The Alexandria Town Talk],'' December 6, 1993, p. D-3.</ref>​

The Kirkpatricks's son,  Thomas Kilgore Kirkpatrick , was  an attorney who received a [[Juris Doctor]] degree from [[Louisiana State University]]. He began a 30-year military service in 1969 as a private in the [[United States Army]]. He obtained a commission in the Judge Advocate General's Corps and served four years on active duty, having reached the rank of captain. He joined the Louisiana National Guard in 1975 and served as a military judge, state judge advocate, and retired commander of the 61st Troop Command. Kirkpatrick also served as general scounsel of the National Guard Association of the United States. His many military citations included the Legion of Merit]] and four [[Bronze Star]]s with Oak Leaf cluster,. After his retirement from the private practice of law in Baton Rouge, Kirkpatrick assumed the director's position with the National Guard's Youth Challenge program. His final government service was as general counsel for the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Under Governor [[Kathleen Blanco]], he was named the state coordinating officer and alternate Governor's authorized representative for the relief of [[Hurricane]]s [[Hurricane Katrina|Katrina]] and [[Hurricane Rita|Rita]]. Thomas Kirkpatrick, who died of [[cancer]] at the age of sixty-five, was married to the former Sandra Futrell of Pineville and was the father of two children, Thomas Kirkpatrick, II, and Mildred Kathleen Kirkpatrick.<ref name=thkirk/> Sandra Kirkpatrick's father was [[P. Elmo Futrell, Jr.]], the [[mayor]] of Pineville in the early 1960s and a prominent Baptist layman.<ref>"Services set for former Pineville Mayor Futrell", ''The Alexandria Town Talk],'' December 6, 1993, p. D-3.</ref>​

==Politician activities==

==Political activities==

​

​

In 1952, Kirkpatrick unseated State Representative Marion Vallee (1910–1997) of Jeff Davis Parish in the Democratic primary. He served his first term during the administration of Governor [[Robert F. Kennon]], who in 1963 would be a gubernatorial opponent of Kirkpatrick. In 1956, he again defeated Vallee, who attempted a comeback bid. Kirkpatrick did not run for a third legislative term in 1960 and was succeeded by Norman L. Ordoneaux.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2020 (Jefferson Davis Parish)|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives|accessdate=September 26, 2019}}</ref>  

In 1952, Kirkpatrick unseated State Representative Marion Vallee (1910–1997) of Jeff Davis Parish in the Democratic primary. He served his first term during the administration of Governor [[Robert F. Kennon]], who in 1963 would be a gubernatorial opponent of Kirkpatrick. In 1956, he again defeated Vallee, who attempted a comeback bid. Kirkpatrick did not run for a third legislative term in 1960 and was succeeded by Norman L. Ordoneaux.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2020 (Jefferson Davis Parish)|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives|accessdate=September 26, 2019}}</ref>