Mike Kirkpatrick

Mike was born on August 15, 1940, to Fred and Florence Kirkpatrick in Longview, Texas. His family moved to Dallas when he was a toddler and he lived most of his life in the Dallas area.

He was an avid Boy Scout and earned the title of Eagle Scout. He loved being in the outdoors and later in life taught his family to love it as well.

He graduated from Highland Park High School and earned a scholarship from the Dallas Morning News by delivering papers during his high school years. He used this scholarship to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University where he served his brothers as president of Delta Mu Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He then earned an MBA from Trinity University in San Antonio.

He had a thirty-plus year career in the telecommunications industry, retiring from AT&T in 1989. He returned to SMU where he recruited students for the distance-education Master's Degree programs for the school of Engineering. When he left that position, he began writing mystery novels, two of which were published. He also edited an anthology of works by authors residing in his community, which was published in 2008, before he became unable to write anymore.

He was predeceased by his parents and his younger brother, Terry. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 49 years, Leah, and his daughter, Stacy, and her partner, Karen Shack. Many friends and family, including dear cousins Charles Cooke, Doris Harper and Susan Fisher, will miss him tremendously.

A celebration of Mike's life will be held on October 1, 2011, at 10:00 A.M. at the Heritage Ranch Country Club in the clubhouse Ball Room 465 Scenic Ranch Road Fairview, TX. 75069. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local SPCA or to Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Attn: Development Department, 780 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118.