Tommy Edward Kirkpatrick

Tommy Edward Kirkpatrick, 88 of Sand Springs, passed from this life on November 5, 2017 in Sand Springs. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 10, 2017, at the 38th St. Church of Christ in Sand Springs. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Mannford, Oklahoma. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Cushing. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home of Cushing.

Tom was born on October 21, 1929 in Independence, Missouri, to Marshall and Gladys (Baney) Kirkpatrick. His early childhood was spent in Missouri, and his family moved to Oklahoma at a young age. He attended school in Olive, OK. Growing up Tom knew hard work was necessary to make ends meet and always worked, hunted, and fished to contribute to his family even while attending school. As a young man, Tom joined the United States Army and served during the Korean War and graduated from Medical Service School in 1950. He was awarded the Commendation Ribbon with Medal Pendant after risking his own life to save a fallen soldier in a mine field in February 1952. Tom was honorably discharged and moved back to Oklahoma. On November 21, 1953, Tom married the love of his life, Imogene Swart at the 10th & Rockford Church of Christ in Tulsa, to this union Rita Jean, Thomas Joel, and Lance Edward were born. Tom and Imogene shared 63 loving years together, before Imogene's passing.

Tom started working in the oilfield. He later worked as a pipefitter for Flint Steel until 1976. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, water skiing on Keystone Lake and was a champion skeet shooter. He was active in the Church of Christ.

Tom and Imogene retired to their farm in Pawnee where Tom raised cattle and enjoyed woodworking, and rebuilding and tinkering with a steam engine tractor. He also enjoyed spending time with his brother Alvin at his welding shop in Mannford. Tom especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and, of course, his loving wife. They remained active in their church at Pawnee and later in Sand Springs as long as they were physically able.

Tom is survived by his daughter Rita Jean Montgomery and husband Michael of Sand Springs, sons Thomas Joel Kirkpatrick of Albuquerque, NM, Lance Edward Kirkpatrick of Flower Mound, TX., grandchildren Damon Handkins of Broken Arrow, Loren Montgomery of Tulsa, Shane Kirkpatrick of Flower Mound, TX, and Katy Montgomery of Asheville, NC.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Imogene Kirkpatrick.