George Kirkpatrick, Jr.

George P. Kirkpatrick, Jr., “Pete”, born May 20, 1934, in Jasper, Texas, to George P. Kirkpatrick, Sr. and Lela Scott Kirkpatrick (Nee Hancock) and passed from this life on December 20, 2017, at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth, Beaumont, surrounded by his wife Jo Ann Kirkpatrick and family.

Pete was a graduate of Beaumont High School and Sam Houston State University. He also attended Baylor Law School. 

Pete practiced law in Hardin County for more than fifty years and was one of the last lawyers who “read the law” under the tutelage of R. A. “Red” Richardson and his father George P. Kirkpatrick, Sr. prior to being sworn into the State Bar of Texas in 1961. He was elected to and served one term as Hardin County Attorney and was later elected District Attorney of the 88th Judicial District Court of Hardin and Tyler Counties for one term, as well.

Pete was an avid hunter, skeet shooter, marksman, and outdoorsman, but his avocation was firearms, especially Winchester’s Model 21 and Model 70. His knowledge of firearms was encyclopedic and he could and often would discuss all manner of gun topics for hours.

Pete was an avid pilot whose goal was to be the highest time VFR (fair weather) pilot in history. An exact tally of his flight hours is not currently available as the auditors are still examining his extensive logbooks.  Pete also volunteered his flying time and skill for many years as a member of the Civil Air Patrol.

Pete was a great reader on all matter of subjects and as a result he was an accomplished raconteur and bon vivant who enjoyed telling stories and engaging inspirited banter over any matter of subject. 

Pete was a member of the First Methodist Church of Silsbee and will be greatly missed by his large extended family and many friends. 

A graveside service will be held at Antioch Cemetery, Buna, Texas for family and close friends, under the direction of, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Charles H. Newsom, Jr., B. Scott Newsom, Lindsey B. Whisenhant, Barry Whisenhant, Aaron Newsom, Ben Newsom, Charles Kirkpatrick, Jesse B. Kirkpatrick and Russ Parsons. A get together in celebration of Pete’s life will be held at the Kirkpatrick home, 10064 Highway 418, Silsbee, Texas at 2:00 PM December 23, 2017.

Jo Ann and the family would especially like to thank Pete’s wonderful care givers, Marla Taylor, Jerry Lee Lewis and Nancy Lewis. The family appreciates Pete’s special friends Dallas Barringtion, Nathan Chambers, Kenny Baldwin, Terry Williams, Fred Morgan, and Mike Avery.

He was preceded in death by Betty Lois Kirkpatrick, George P. Kirkpatrick, Sr., Lela Scott Kirkpatrick, and his beloved aunt Violet R. Kirkpatrick.

Pete is survived by his son, George Allen Kirkpatrick; wife, Lisa S. Kirkpatrick; sister, Lela Katherine Newsom; and brother-in-law, Jim Phillips, and his wife, Pam; and countless nieces and nephews and his loving wife of more than forty-two years, Jo Ann Kirkpatrick.