Born in Beaumont and raised in High Island, Texas, Harlan enjoyed everything about the coastal way of life. He fished, hunted, trapped, and roamed the whole Bolivar Peninsula. Harlan was a good student and captain of the High Island Cardinals football and basketball teams. He worked his way through college at Lamar Tech riding his Harley back and forth from High Island to Beaumont. He graduated with a degree in Diesel Engineering in 1955. In 1956 he married Myrna Loy Vidler of High Island. They moved to Groves, Texas, in 1959 when he took a job with Spencer Chemical in Orange, which later became Gulf Chemical and eventually, Chevron-Phillips. Harlan retired in 1992 after 34 years of service.
“Kirk” as he was known by his friends, was a man of the water. He was a shrimper who eagerly shared his vast knowledge of the Gulf and all of its bays and backwaters with anyone who showed an interest in his beloved coast. Generations of newcomers to the coast and wanna-be shrimpers and fishermen found him to be a treasure trove of information about tides, winds and wildlife. He loved to see others succeed and more than anything, he loved to laugh and hear a good story.
Henry Harlan “Kirk” Kirkpatrick is survived by his wife of 60 years Myrna Loy, brother Gary Lee Kirkpatrick of Corpus Christi, son Michael Kirkpatrick and wife Joan of Beaumont, daughter Tammy K. Davis and husband Shaun of Groves, Grandchildren Carly Thibodeaux and husband Jardin of Bridge City, Travis Kirkpatrick and wife Kathleen of Pflugerville, Stephen Baird and wife Nicole of Austin, Abby Rauschenberger and husband Hank of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Hunter Tynan Davis of Nashville, Tennessee.
Pallbearers are: Travis Kirkpatrick, Hunter Tynan Davis, Bryan Kirkpatrick, Stephen Baird, Andy Faggard and Ollie Mike Kirkpatrick. Honorary pallbearers include Michael Kirkpatrick, Shaun P. Davis, Hank Rauschenberger, Sydney Badon, Rodney Badon, Fabian Badon, Tommy Burton, Robbie Wood, Jardin Thibodeaux.
A gathering of Mr. Kirkpatrick’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 20, 2016, at Broussard’s Mortuary, 134 West Buccaneer Dr., Winnie. His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 20, 2016, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Gilchrist Community Association, P.O. Box 186, High Island, TX 77623.
