Solomon “S.E.” Kirkpatrick, Jr.

Solomon Edgar “S.E.” Kirkpatrick, Jr. was born during the roaring 20’s on March 2, 1926 to Carrie Ashmore Kirkpatrick and Solomon Edgar Kirkpatrick, Sr.

At the age of 3, the family moved to a farm outside of Glenmora, Louisiana. There they grew crops to sell which included sugar cane, from which they made cane syrup. When he was in high school, the second world war was coming to a head and he felt it was his duty to fight for his country. At the age of 17 he dropped out of high school and tried to join the United States Army or the Navy to fight overseas. Due to a spot being seen on a lung x-ray, he was turned down for military service at that time, so in 1944 he accompanied a friend to work at the Kaiser Shipyard in Vancouver, Washington. He worked there for a little over a year and then returned home in June of 1945 to see his brother, John T. “J.T.”, as he was about to be redeployed to the Pacific.

While at home he decided that he needed to finish school if he ever wanted to have a better job. He successfully graduated high school in May of 1947 and was then rewarded with the better job he wanted. In September of 1947 he was hired to work at the Neches Butane Refinery in Port Neches, Texas. In 1950, a full six years after he had tried to join the military, he was drafted into the United States Army. He was deployed to Germany from 1951 to 1952. When his tour was over, he returned home to Port Neches, Texas and resumed working at Neches Butane.

On a somber trip back home to Louisiana in 1955 for his father’s funeral, he met a young widowed mother that had three young boys. Gwendolyn Devern Davidson Sutton soon caught his eye and they began courting. They were married thereafter, and Solomon had a full family. Port Neches was a city that was just being developed at the time and he had a new house built for his family on 10th street. Much to their joy they soon had two more sons as part of the family. Sadly, Brian Keith Kirkpatrick died at a young age, but together, he and Gwendolyn raised Jarrett William Sutton Jr., John Edward Sutton, Bobby Sutton and David Edgar Kirkpatrick. They raised their family in the Christian faith and were long time members of First Baptist Church in Port Neches. At the time of Gwendolyn’s death in 2004, she and Solomon had spent nearly half a century as husband and wife. He often spoke of the longing he had to be reunited with the love of his life.

On Christmas Day 2018 at 10 o’clock in the morning, Solomon, age 92, went home to his Lord and Savior and rejoined his wife.

Survivors include Patti Ruth Kirkpatrick Monk of Woodworth, Louisiana; David Edgar Kirkpatrick and Cindi of Baltimore, Maryland; Bobby Sutton and his wife, Janice, of Vidor, Texas; John Edward Sutton and his wife, Carolyn, of Warren, Texas; and brother-in-law, S.L. Davidson and his wife, Gloria, of DeRidder, Louisiana. His grandchildren include Sheri Sutton Werner of Port Neches, Texas; John Edward Sutton, II and his wife, Lisa, of Warren, Texas; James Edgar Sutton and his wife, Mary Jo, of Ivanhoe, Texas; Michelle Sutton Lawson and her husband, Jim, of Turlock, California; Scott Edward Sutton of Port Neches, Texas; Robert Sutton and his wife, Meg, of Vidor, Texas and Andrew Kirkpatrick of Baltimore, Maryland. There are many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews that he loved devoutly.

Solomon was preceded in death by his wife, Gwendolyn Devern Davidson Kirkpatrick; his parents Carrie Ashmore Kirkpatrick and Solomon Edgar Kirkpatrick, Sr.; his siblings, Pauline Kirkpatrick, Vonnie Vee Kirkpatrick Johnson, Gladys Kirkpatrick McRaney, Juanita Kirkpatrick Jelken, and John T. Kirkpatrick; and his sons, Jarrett William Sutton, Jr. and Brian Keith Kirkpatrick.

A gathering of Mr. Kirkpatrick’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 28, 2018, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 29, 2018, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Alexandria Memorial Cemetery, Woodworth, Louisiana.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church: Library Fund, 1900 Magnolia Ave, Port Neches, TX 77651.