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{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|name= Claude Kirkpatrick
|name=Claude Kirkpatrick
|office= [[Louisiana]] State Representative for Jefferson Davis Parish
|office=[[Louisiana]] State Representative<br> for Jefferson Davis Parish
|term_start=1952
|term_start=1952
|term_end=1960
|term_end=1960
|death_place=Baton Rouge General Medical Center, [[Baton Rouge]], Louisiana
|death_place=Baton Rouge General Medical Center, [[Baton Rouge]], Louisiana
|spouseEdith Killgore Kirkpatrick (married 1938-1997, his death)<br>
|spouseEdith Killgore Kirkpatrick (married 1938-1997, his death)<br>
|children=Claude Kent Kirkpatrick (1942-1945)<br>
|children=Claude Kent Kirkpatrick (1942-1945)
Thomas Killgore Kirkpatrick, I (1944-2009)<br>
Thomas Killgore Kirkpatrick, I (1944-2009)<br>
Edith Kay Kirkpatrick<br>
Edith Kay Kirkpatrick<br>
==Background==
==Background==
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=September 12, 2008; 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==
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 [[attorney]]s in Baton Rouge.<ref name=statement/>
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 [[attorney]]s 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 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/>
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 several [[Bronze Star]]s with Oak Leaf cluster. After his retirement from the private practice of law in Baton Rouge, Thomas 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 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 [[Elmo Futrell|Perry 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>
Sandra Kirkpatrick's father was [[Elmo Futrell|Perry Elmo Futrell, Jr.]], the [[mayor]] of Pineville in the early 1960s, having preceded [[Floyd Smith]] in thee position. He was also a prominent Baptist layman.<ref>"Services set for former Pineville Mayor Futrell," ''[[Alexandria Town Talk]],'' December 6, 1993, p. D-3.</ref>
==Political 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>
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 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]], [[Chep Morrison|deLesseps Story "Chep" Morrison, Sr.]], in a hotly contested runoff election. Davis asked Kirkpatrick to serve as his Director of Public Works to succeed [[Lorris 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=September 26, 2019}}</ref>
In the summer of 1960, Kirkpatrick was a delegate to the [[Democratic National Convention]] in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], which nominated the [[John F. Kennedy|Kennedy]]-[[Lyndon B. Johnson|Johnson]] ticket, an easy winner of the ten [[electoral vote]]s in Louisiana.<ref name=pg>Political Graveyard on Internet: http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/kirkpatrick.html</ref> Kirkpatrick was Democrat for the rest of his life even as his state developed a [[two-party system]]. Political records show that he donated in 1979 to the last campaign of [[U.S. Senator]] [[Russell Long]] of Louisiana.<ref>[http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:2peXMOPU90EJ:www.city-data.com/elec2/80/elec-BATON-ROUGE-LA-80.html+Claude+Kirkpatrick+of+Louisiana&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=10&gl=us Campaign contributions list from Louisiana on Internet]</ref>
In the summer of 1960, Kirkpatrick was a delegate to the [[Democratic National Convention]] in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], which nominated the [[John F. Kennedy|Kennedy]]-[[Lyndon B. Johnson|Johnson]] ticket, an easy winner of the ten [[electoral vote]]s in Louisiana.<ref name=pg>Political Graveyard on Internet: http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/kirkpatrick.html</ref> Kirkpatrick was Democrat for the rest of his life even as his state developed a [[two-party system]]. Political records show that he donated in 1979 to the last campaign of [[U.S. Senator]] [[Russell Long]] of Louisiana.<ref>[http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:2peXMOPU90EJ:www.city-data.com/elec2/80/elec-BATON-ROUGE-LA-80.html+Claude+Kirkpatrick+of+Louisiana&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=10&gl=us Campaign contributions list from Louisiana on Internet]</ref>
In 1963, Kirkpatrick ran for governor as an "independent" within the Democratic primary, meaning that he was not affiliated with any particular faction of the party though he had been on close terms with outgoing Governor Davis.<ref>William C. Havard, Rudolf Heberle, and [[Perry H. Howard]], ''The Louisiana Elections of 1960'', [[Baton Rouge]]: [[Louisiana State University]] Studies, 1963, p. 99.</ref> He polled only 28,578 votes (3.2 percent), seventh in a ten-candidate field.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, December 1963 Democratic primary.</ref> To head DPW, the new governor, [[John J. McKeithen]], formerly a member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, named [[Leon Gary]], a former mayor of Houma in Terrebonne Parish.<ref name=pg/>
In 1963, Kirkpatrick ran for governor as an "independent" within the Democratic primary, meaning that he was not affiliated with any particular faction of the party though he had been on close terms with outgoing Governor Davis.<ref>William C. Havard, Rudolf Heberle, and [[Perry H. Howard]], ''The Louisiana Elections of 1960'', [[Baton Rouge]]: [[Louisiana State University]] Studies, 1963, p. 99.</ref> He polled only 28,578 votes (3.2 percent), seventh in a ten-candidate field.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, December 1963 Democratic primary.</ref> To head DPW, the new governor, [[John J. McKeithen]], formerly a member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, named [[Leon Gary]], a former mayor of Houma in Terrebonne Parish.<ref name=pg/>
==Later years and legacy==
==Later years and legacy==
Similarly, Tom Sawyer, later the chief executive officer of the hospital, described Krkpatrick as "very compassionate [with] a great empathy for people, and he really loved hospital work. ... He viewed his job as more of a ministry than a job. That was the kind of outlook he had on things."<ref name=brma/>
Similarly, Tom Sawyer, later the chief executive officer of the hospital, described Krkpatrick as "very compassionate [with] a great empathy for people, and he really loved hospital work. ... He viewed his job as more of a ministry than a job. That was the kind of outlook he had on things."<ref name=brma/>
After leaving the hospital position, Kirkpatrick established three shopping centers in Baton Rouge: Delmont, Highland Road, and Drusilla. Over the years, Kirkpatrick was Southwest Louisiana vice president of the Calcasieu Area [[Boy Scouts]]. He was active in the [[United Way]] charitable fund, the Kiwanis International, and the American Heart Association.<ref name=br/> He was a [[deacon]] in several [[Baptist]] churches for fifty-eight years, his last membership having been at First Baptist in Baton Rouge. He and Mrs. Kirkpatrick were active in all aspects of Baptist church governance and outreach. He was a past chairman and member of the Louisiana College board of directors. He served on the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Board. In Baton Rouge, he was the first president of the Federation of Churches and Synagogues as well as a charter member there of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
After leaving the hospital position, Kirkpatrick established three shopping centers in Baton Rouge: Delmont, Highland Road, and Drusilla. Over the years, Kirkpatrick was Southwest Louisiana vice president of the Calcasieu Area [[Boy Scouts]]. He was active in the [[United Way]] charitable fund, the Kiwanis International, and the American Heart Association.<ref name=br/>
Kirkpatrick was a [[deacon]] in several [[Baptist]] churches for fifty-eight years, his last membership having been at First Baptist in Baton Rouge. He and Mrs. Kirkpatrick were active in all aspects of Baptist church governance and outreach. He was a past chairman and member of the Louisiana College board of directors. He served on the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Board. In Baton Rouge, he was the first president of the Federation of Churches and Synagogues as well as a charter member there of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
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=antiqbook.com|date=1963|accessdate=Unavailable}}</ref>
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=November 10, 2008; no longer on-line.}}</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) 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) 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.