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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 the 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 the 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 community 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.  

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.

==Family==

==Family==