Changes

​

​

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>  

 

In the [[gubernatorial]] primaries held between December 1959 and January 1960, the Kirkpatricks worked actively in southwest Louisiana for former Governor [[Jimmie Davis]], who defeated the [[mayor]] of [[New Orleans]], deLesseps Story"Chep" Morrison, Sr. (1912-1964), in a hotly contested runoff election. Davis asked Kirkpatrick to serve as his Director of Public Works to succeed [[Lorris M. Wimberly]] of Arcadia in Bienville Parish in north Louisiana, who had once been [[Speaker]] of the Louisiana House.  

In the [[Governor|gubernatorial]] primaries held between December 1959 and January 1960, the Kirkpatricks worked actively in southwest Louisiana for former Governor [[Jimmie Davis]], who defeated the [[mayor]] of [[New Orleans]], deLesseps Story "Chep" Morrison, Sr. (1912-1964), in a hotly contested runoff election. Davis asked Kirkpatrick to serve as his Director of Public Works to succeed [[Lorris M. Wimberly]] of Arcadia in Bienville Parish in north Louisiana, who had once been [[Speaker]] of the Louisiana House.  

As the  head of DPW, Kirkpatrick was also chairman of the Red River Authority and the Sabine River Authority. He worked with [[Texas]] and without federal funds to establish the popular Toledo Bend Reservoir, a popular destination for [[fishing]] and boating on the Louisiana-Texas boundary. The project, which emphasizes [[conservation]] and stewardship of natural resources, was completed in 1966, two years after Kirkpatrick had left DPW.<ref name=bm/> State Representative Cliff Ammons of Many in Sabine Parish, pushed to passage the bill to create Toledo Bend and the constitutional amendment to provide for its funding.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lahistory.org/resources/dictionary-louisiana-biography/dictionary-a/|title=Ammons, Cliff|publisher=Louisiana Historical Association, ''A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography'' (lahistory.org)|accessdate=December 24, 2010}}</ref>​

As the  head of DPW, Kirkpatrick was also chairman of the Red River Authority and the Sabine River Authority. He worked with [[Texas]] and without federal funds to establish the popular Toledo Bend Reservoir, a popular destination for [[fishing]] and boating on the Louisiana-Texas boundary. The project, which emphasizes [[conservation]] and stewardship of natural resources, was completed in 1966, two years after Kirkpatrick had left DPW.<ref name=bm/> State Representative Cliff Ammons of Many in Sabine Parish, pushed to passage the bill to create Toledo Bend and the constitutional amendment to provide for its funding.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lahistory.org/resources/dictionary-louisiana-biography/dictionary-a/|title=Ammons, Cliff|publisher=Louisiana Historical Association, ''A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography'' (lahistory.org)|accessdate=December 24, 2010}}</ref>​

Mrs. Kirkpatrick studied for a time at the [[Juilliard School]] in [[New York City]] and much later obtained a [[Master of Arts]] degree in [[music]] from [LSU in Baton Rouge.  At times, she taught voice music at both LSU and McNeese State University in Lake Charles. At the invitation of Governor [[Edwin  Edwards]], she served from 1977 to 1989 on the Louisiana Board of Regents, a panel created by the state constitution of 1974 to govern public higher education institutions.<ref name=statement/>​

Mrs. Kirkpatrick studied for a time at the [[Juilliard School]] in [[New York City]] and much later obtained a [[Master of Arts]] degree in [[music]] from [LSU in Baton Rouge.  At times, she taught voice music at both LSU and McNeese State University in Lake Charles. At the invitation of Governor [[Edwin  Edwards]], she served from 1977 to 1989 on the Louisiana Board of Regents, a panel created by the state constitution of 1974 to govern public higher education institutions.<ref name=statement/>​

​

​

During the 1963 gubernatorial campaign, Mrs. Kirkpatrick published a 38-page song book entitled ''Louisiana Let's Sing,'' a collection of favorite songs ranging from ''[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]'' to ''[[Jingle Bells]]'' compiled especially for her husband.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.antiqbook.com/boox/gaq/028504.shtml|title=''Louisiana Let's Sing''|publisher=

During the 1963 gubernatorial campaign, Mrs. Kirkpatrick published a 38-page song book entitled ''Louisiana Let's Sing,'' a collection of favorite songs ranging from ''[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]'' to ''[[Jingle Bells]]'' compiled especially for her husband.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.antiqbook.com/boox/gaq/028504.shtml|title=''Louisiana Let's Sing''|publisher=antiqbook.com|date=1963|accessdate=Unavailable}}</ref>

antiqbook.com|date=1963|accessdate=Unavailable}}</ref>

​

​

Kirkpatrick died in the Baton Rouge General Hospital that he had once managed, having earlier  underwent five [[heart]] bypasses. He is interred at Green Oaks Memorial Park in Baton Rouge. In addition to his wife and three living children, Kirkpatrick was survived by a brother, G. Truett Kirkpatrick  (1921–2007) of Lake Charles, and five grandchildren. Another brother, Augustus C. Kirkpatrick (1914–1996)<ref name=ssdi/> of Lake Charles was the former tax assessor of Calcasieu Parish. After Kirkpatrick's death, Mrs. Kirkpatrick deposited her husband's papers on request at McNeese State University.​

Kirkpatrick died in the Baton Rouge General Hospital that he had once managed, having earlier  underwent five [[heart]] bypasses. He is interred at Green Oaks Memorial Park in Baton Rouge. In addition to his wife and three living children, Kirkpatrick was survived by a brother, G. Truett Kirkpatrick  (1921–2007) of Lake Charles, and five grandchildren. Another brother, Augustus C. Kirkpatrick (1914–1996)<ref name=ssdi/> of Lake Charles was the former tax assessor of Calcasieu Parish. After Kirkpatrick's death, Mrs. Kirkpatrick deposited her husband's papers on request at McNeese State University.​