Donald Lee Kirkpatrick

DONALD LEE KIRKPATRICK Donald Lee Kirkpatrick was born in Odessa, Texas, on September 18, 1936, to Joel Lee Kirkpatrick and Sarah Ethel Moss Kirkpatrick. He passed away on January 21, 2014, in El Paso, Texas, at the age of 77, where he had made his home for the last 50 years or so. Donald Lee Kirkpatrick had a full and active life. A proud veteran, he first manned an army radio station in Ethiopia, then joined the reserves as a Lieutenant and public Information Officer for the reserve unit in El Paso, Texas, and continued his service until he was honorably discharged on June 14, 1961. A lifelong fan of the theater, Don appeared in community productions. He helped fund an off Broadway play as a named producer, which play achieved some success and he became friends with the writer and composer of the show. In El Paso, Don was both a radio and television personality, famous for his voice. He later became an Advertising Executive, owning his own agency, and he owned a radio station prior to retiring. Don was a lifelong Democrat and was actually involved in successful local campaigns including Mayor Ray Caballero, County Attorney and State Senator Jose Rodriguez, Judge Patricia Chew, Democratic Chairwoman Queta Fierro, to whom he became a trusted friend and advisor, and Mayor Ray Salazar, whom Don much admired and respected. He was the Editor of the West Texas Democratic Times, a weekly publication which was published for five consecutive years. He also maintained an active email list of over 100 people to whom he sent regular news and opinion items from the internet. Don was chosen as a member of the El Paso County Democratic Party Hall of Fame. Don is survived by the following nieces and nephews; Steve Eric Kirkpatrick, of Amarillo, Texas; Zuna Mae (Jackie) Box, of Odessa, Texas; Bridget Jeane Brown Garcia, of Austin, Texas; Lucille Brown Freeze, of Monahans, Texas; Harold Wayne Kirkpatrick, of Roswell, New Mexico; Cynthia Ann Branecky, of Weatherford, Texas; Thomas Lee Kirkpatrick, of Ft. Worth, Texas; and Michael Odell Brown, of Odessa, Texas. There will be a Graveside Service for Donald Lee Kirkpatrick at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery, in El Paso, Texas, on the 10 day of February, 2014, at 1:30 pm. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home West, 480 N. Resler Dr. Please visit our online guestbook at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net