Elmer Blaine “Kirk” Kirkpatrick, 84, of Taneytown, Maryland died peacefully Friday, February 6, 2015 at Carroll Hospice Dove House in Westminster. Born May 4, 1930 in Waynesboro, PA, he was the son of the late Ross and Helen Weagley Kirkpatrick. He was the husband of the late Martha Carpenter Kirkpatrick, to whom he was married for 54 years. She died September 28, 2011.
Kirk was a 1948 graduate of Washington Township High School in Waynesboro, PA. In December, 1948 he enlisted in the United States Air Force and retired after 22 years of continuous service. He achieved the rank of Chief Master Sergeant on January 1, 1971. He worked briefly for the Library of Congress, and in January of 1972, was employed by the Defense Investigative Service (DIS) in Washington, D.C. He served there for 15 years, retiring in June of 1986 as Accounting and Finance Officer. He was awarded the Exceptional Civilian Service Award by the DIS during the period of 1978 to 1986. He was extremely proud of his 37 years of Federal service to the United States of America. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for his service with the Office of the Air Attaché, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia during 1960 to 1962, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal for his service in the Air Force Office of Special Investigation during 1964 to 1969, and the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Vietnam in 1970. His overseas assignments included Japan, Ethiopia, and Vietnam. He was stationed at numerous bases in the United States as well.
Kirk was equally proud of his three children, Joyce, Judy, and Jeff. He was a member of Hesson Snider American Legion Post 120 in Taneytown, the Air Force Sergeants Association, Jr. Order United American Mechanics, and the Eagles Club, Inc. in Waynesboro, PA, where he was on the roll since 1955. He enjoyed reading, being outdoors, and spending time with his family, neighbors, and friends. Kirk was a proud and enthusiastic fan of the Washington Redskins.
He is survived by daughters, Joyce Kirkpatrick of Taneytown, MD, and Judy Winfield and husband Ted of Mt. Airy, MD; son, Jeffrey Kirkpatrick of Bel Air, MD; brother, Dennis Kirkpatrick and wife Margaret of Lodi, CA; grandchildren, Melanie, Ross, TJ, and Tyler; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers, Fred, Dick, Jack, and Tom Kirkpatrick.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 16, 2015 at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 136 E. Baltimore St, Taneytown, MD. The family will receive friends 3-5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Monday. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Carroll Hospice Dove House, 292 Stoner Ave, Westminster, MD, 21157 or to Wreaths Across America, P.O. Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME, 04623, or online at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
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Kirk was a 1948 graduate of Washington Township High School in Waynesboro, PA. In December, 1948 he enlisted in the United States Air Force and retired after 22 years of continuous service. He achieved the rank of Chief Master Sergeant on January 1, 1971. He worked briefly for the Library of Congress, and in January of 1972, was employed by the Defense Investigative Service (DIS) in Washington, D.C. He served there for 15 years, retiring in June of 1986 as Accounting and Finance Officer. He was awarded the Exceptional Civilian Service Award by the DIS during the period of 1978 to 1986. He was extremely proud of his 37 years of Federal service to the United States of America. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for his service with the Office of the Air Attaché, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia during 1960 to 1962, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal for his service in the Air Force Office of Special Investigation during 1964 to 1969, and the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Vietnam in 1970. His overseas assignments included Japan, Ethiopia, and Vietnam. He was stationed at numerous bases in the United States as well.
Kirk was equally proud of his three children, Joyce, Judy, and Jeff. He was a member of Hesson Snider American Legion Post 120 in Taneytown, the Air Force Sergeants Association, Jr. Order United American Mechanics, and the Eagles Club, Inc. in Waynesboro, PA, where he was on the roll since 1955. He enjoyed reading, being outdoors, and spending time with his family, neighbors, and friends. Kirk was a proud and enthusiastic fan of the Washington Redskins.
He is survived by daughters, Joyce Kirkpatrick of Taneytown, MD, and Judy Winfield and husband Ted of Mt. Airy, MD; son, Jeffrey Kirkpatrick of Bel Air, MD; brother, Dennis Kirkpatrick and wife Margaret of Lodi, CA; grandchildren, Melanie, Ross, TJ, and Tyler; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers, Fred, Dick, Jack, and Tom Kirkpatrick.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 16, 2015 at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 136 E. Baltimore St, Taneytown, MD. The family will receive friends 3-5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Monday. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Carroll Hospice Dove House, 292 Stoner Ave, Westminster, MD, 21157 or to Wreaths Across America, P.O. Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME, 04623, or online at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.