Ted "Pepa" Kilpatrick

Ted Kilpatrick, age 90, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away peacefully in his home and joined his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in his heavenly home early on Sunday morning, May 14, 2023. What a beautiful way for him to celebrate Mother’s Day as he was reunited with his mother, who passed away when he was a young child, as well as his grandmother who then helped to raise him and his brother, and his sweet step mom who joined their family later on.

Ted was born in Enterprise, Alabama on September 14, 1932 to Howard Kilpatrick and Birdie Mae Helms Kilpatrick. Right after high school he enlisted in the US Navy, serving during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Enterprise, Alabama where he was introduced on a blind date to a beautiful young lady named Martha Sullivan. The rest is history. After a short courtship, Ted picked Martha up at work one day and they headed to Troy, Alabama and got married on August 2, 1954! They then headed to Martha’s home in Ozark, Alabama to let her parents know they had a son-in-law! Ted and Martha soon moved to Pensacola, Florida where Ted took a position as a barber at NAS Pensacola and Martha went to work for The Warrington Bank. Ted made hair care his primary career, even owning his own shop, Ted’s Casual Cut, for about twenty years, and Martha remained employed at The Warrington Bank through 2022.

Ted was a man of many talents and abilities, able to do anything he set his mind to. As a young adult he designed, built and raced speed boats with a good friend. At one point he went to trade school for AC repair and became a licensed AC repairman. Shortly before “retiring” and selling Ted’s Casual Cut, he took a computer course at PJC and self-taught himself all about computers. This was more of a hobby and not a job. I guess that’s why he enjoyed it so much. He later became very interested in still photography and videos, even professionally videotaped a couple of weddings. His one passion that was a constant all during his adult life was wood working. He loved building anything from simple pieces of furniture to intricate boxes and toy cars, and he was good at it. He loved making sure every little detail was perfect.

Ted was a selfless individual who would much rather be giving and helping rather than receiving. He was a man of faith who loved his family dearly as it grew over the years. And after the first grandchild came along, he became known simply as “Pepa” to everyone. No matter how much the family grew, he was always there to help and support in any way that he could without asking for anything in return.

In the winter years of his life, Pepa was still always on the go, looking for new projects to tackle and things to learn. He loved having family around him, especially the great-grandchildren at this time. His strong faith enabled him to endure the many health challenges of growing older. He was truly blessed with a very long and purposeful life, and was respected and loved by all who knew him. Ted and Martha are long time members of Hillcrest Baptist Church, where they have developed many close friendships through their Connect Group.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Birdie Mae Kilpatrick; his step mom, Jessie Mae Kilpatrick; and his brother, Charles Kilpatrick.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 68 years, Martha Sullivan Kilpatrick; daughter, Sharon Kilpatrick Carroll (Jim); son, John Kilpatrick; granddaughter, Marti Holmes Stuthers (CJ); grandson, Ryan Holmes; great-grandchildren, Nolan Stuthers and Pearl Stuthers, all of whom currently reside in Pensacola, Florida; and his half-brother, Don Kilpatrick of Navarre, Florida. He was also loved by and will be missed by many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

The family would like to send a special, heartfelt thank you to the many caring and comforting professionals of Vitas Hospice Healthcare.

A visitation will be held at Eastern Gate Memorial, 1985 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, FL 32534 on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 10:30 am. Celebration of Life service to follow at 11:30 am.

Hillcrest Baptist Church, at 800 East Nine Mile Road, will be hosting lunch for family and friends immediately following the service. Food drop-offs can be left at the Lastinger Building, Room L107, on the north side of the church, between 11:00 am and 12:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida, 5200 Bayou Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32503. https://rmhc-nwfl.org