Kay Willard (K.W.) Kirkpatrick was born in Abilene, Texas on February 6, 1932.  He passed from this life on December 21, 2024 at his home in Post, Texas at the age of 92.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patty Lott Kirkpatrick, and his parents Willard M. and Ruby Stoker Kirkpatrick.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at Hudman Funeral Home, 615, W. Main, Post, Texas. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 2:00pm in the Post Methodist Church in Post, Texas.

K.W., aka KK, was a lifelong resident of Post. He graduated from Post High School, New Mexico Military Institute, and Texas Christian University. Upon graduation from TCU, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force and served proudly for two years in Japan following the Korean War.

Upon his return from Japan, K.W. returned to work on the family ranches in Garza County, Texas and San Miguel County, New Mexico.  In 1958, K.W. married the love of his life, Patty Kirkpatrick and they began their family, raising five children.  Heand his brother, Jack, took over the day-to-day operations of Stoker-Kirkpatrick Ranches upon their father's death in 1969.  He loved being outdoors, hunting, and calving heifers. He always enjoyed seeing the new baby calves as they arrived each year.  He especially enjoyed running his CAT bulldozer improving roads, building and cleaning out stock tanks, and removing brush from the property well into his 80's.  He served many years on the Post ISD Board of Trustees, the First National Bank Board in Post, and numerous committees at the First United Methodist Church.

He was hard-shelled on the outside and soft as a marshmallow inside.  He was a perfectionist, unwilling to stop a job until it was done just right; sometimes to his children's dismay.  He expected excellence from each of us, and we were better for it.  He loved his travels with Patty reaching both the North and South Poles in their travels.  He loved to tell stories and was an expert on all aircraft flown in WWII.

K.W. had an unusual sense of humor, and he spent his last years concerned and tracking the movements and projects of his children and grandchildren.  He kept us all informed of one another's activities as our lives progressed.  We will miss him dearly!

K.W. is survived by his loving children, Mark and Lisa Kirkpatrick of Post, Cindy and Robert Hughes of Southlake, Richard and Kim Kirkpatrick of Lubbock, Drew and Tonya Kirkpatrick of Post, and Kathy and Jon Burt of Kaufman, his adoring grandchildren, Kyle and Hayley Kirkpatrick of Post, Claire and James Vess of Aledo, Kristin Hughes of Dallas, Allison Hughes of Austin, John and Kendra Hughes of Birmingham, Michigan, Matthew and Hannah Hughes of New York, New York, Cole and Mackenzie Kirkpatrick of Lubbock, Cameron and Kari Kirkpatrick of Dallas, Campbell and Hannah Kirkpatrick of Aledo, Carson Kirkpatrick of Hurst, Stoker Burt of Dallas, Hallie and Zach Hyles of Dallas, Jon Drew and Lara Burt of Dallas, and fourteen wild great-grandchildren.  He also leaves behind his brother, Jack Kirkpatrick of Post, brother-in-law, Jack Lott of Santa Fe, and many loving nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Ranching Heritage Center, The Community Foundation of West Texas Endowment, or Hospice of Lubbock.