Ben James Kirkpatrick

Ben "Benny" James Kirkpatrick, age 66, was the kind of guy who could sit quiet for an hour and then drop one line that had the whole room doubled over. He was fun loving, always down for a good time, and somehow both the first one to the campfire and the first one up in the morning. That was just Benny.

Born in Houston, Texas on July 11, 1959, Ben spent most of his life between Houston and Willis, Texas, where he raised his family and built a life with his own two hands. His final chapter brought him to Hopkins, Michigan — and he made it home the same way he did everything else, on his own terms.

Ben never sat still long. He worked alongside his dad at their BBQ stand, spent years with Willis ISD alongside both his mom and dad, and moved through construction, machining, hotel maintenance, and forklift work before landing at Progressive — where he spent his days moving parts that helped bring clean energy to the world. When the workday was done, he was outside. Hunting, fishing, woodworking, farming, gardening — if it involved the land, Ben was in.

Those who loved him knew the real truth though — none of that was what defined him. Ben was never more himself than when surrounded by the people he loved.

He is survived by his wife of six years, Cathy Ebaugh-Kirkpatrick; children Ben Lee Kirkpatrick, Timothy Kirkpatrick, and Kimberly Lawson; nine grandchildren; sisters Mary Arlene Royds and Elizabeth Diane Cook; stepchildren Jackie, ReYanna, and Lawrence, and their five children. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert James Kirkpatrick; mother, Ruby Lois Kirkpatrick; brother, John Robert Kirkpatrick; and nephew, Travis Kirkpatrick.

A celebration of life will be held from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 2026 at Hilliards Corner Lounge in Hopkins, Michigan. In keeping with his wishes, Ben chose cremation.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you support a local Girl Scout troop or a school fundraiser in his memory. It's exactly the kind of thing he would've appreciated.

"He wore many hats throughout his life — but if you asked him, his favorites were always the simplest ones: Son and Dad."