Jackie S. Kilpatric

Jack Kilpatric, 80, passed away on July 31, 2020 at his home in Lampasas. A private graveside service will be held at Phifer Cemetery in Groesbeck, Texas. Pallbearers will be, Eric Castillo, Adam Castillo, Chad Williams, Joe Johnson, Sophia Castillo. Honorary Pallbearers will be, Matthew Castillo and Allison Williams. He was born on June 18, 1940 in Groesbeck, Texas to Pinkney and Mary Jane Berry Kilpatric. Jack grew up in Texas and graduated from Kerens High School in Kerens, Texas in 1957. After high school he attended Navarro College in Corsicana and then went on to complete his Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Biology at the University of Texas at Arlington, graduating with honors in 1967. Jack began work for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a Biologist where he worked for 28 years, retiring in 1995. Jack married Lynda Lynch in 1963 and they were happily married for 57 years. They lived in Arlington, Texas, Sanderson, Texas, Marfa, Texas, Alpine, Texas, Mountainair, New Mexico and Lampasas. Jack was a life member of the Texas Bighorn Sheep Society. He enjoyed hunting, welding, working outdoors, being a master craftsman, listening to music, visiting with his many friends and being a cowboy. He also enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren and great-grandchild. His animals always meant a great deal to him. He raised many dogs, horses and mules over the years. He received the State Statesman Award from the Bighorn Sheep Council in 1994. He also received The Desert Ram Award in 2011. He was featured in an article of Outdoor Life Magazine, 2003 issue. The book, Extreme Outdoor Adventures, by Larry Mueller and Marguerite Reiss, dedicates a chapter to telling the story of how once, on a mountain lion hunt, he protected his hunting dogs on a cliff by punching a mountain lion in the face. In 1993, he appeared in the movie, Flesh and Bone. He was one of the pioneers of the bighorn sheep restoration in Texas. Jack was featured in the Texas Parks and Wildlife documentary, being interviewed about the Texas Desert Bighorn. He also was involved in the Marfa Gunslingers, raising money for charities. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Pinkney and Mary Jane Kilpatric and brother, William Earl Kilpatric. Survivors: Wife, Lynda of Lampasas; daughters, Kathaleen Marie Kilpatric-Johnson and husband, Joe of Lampasas, Kimberly Ann Kilpatrick of El Paso and Paula Renee Russell of Irvine, California; grandchildren, Eric Castillo, Matthew Castillo, Adam Castillo, Sophia Castillo, Chad Williams, Allison Williams, Jackie Johnson, Lily Johnson; great-grandchild, Sienna Lynda Marie Castillo. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to everyone who loved him.