Don A. Kilpatrick

Donald A. Kilpatrick, loving husband, awesome dad, #1 only son, loving brother, supportive uncle and loyal friend passed away on May 18, 2012 in Casper, Wyoming. He was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Charles & Naomi Kilpatrick on August 5, 1945. He attended Naches High School and was part of the graduating Class of 1962.

He was in the United States Coast Guard from August 14, 1962 thru August 12, 1966. He was very proud of his country and displayed that pride with a U.S. flag flying at home along with the U.S.C.G. flag.

On May 12, 1973 Don married the love of his life, Kay VanWechel. On August 30, 1982 the most wonderful event happened. Their son Lincoln Wade Kilpatrick was born. Their home was always filled with family and friends and lots of laughter.

Don was an amazing man who loved everyone he met. He was so many things to so many people. He was an avid storyteller and could spend hours talking to his buddies, family or anyone who wanted to chat. Don loved crosswords and loved to write stories (not that any were published, but they were very good stories).

He was always a straight shooter. Even if you messed up he wanted better for you, or from you, and was always there to lift you up.

Don was a keeper of almost everything, but his absolute favorite collectable was Coca-Cola. He even had the little green ball his mother had put on his Christmas package when he was in the service.

Don’s life was filled with many adventures. In his twenties he was the Mayor of Naches, the youngest mayor in Washington. He owned the Naches Union 76 service station at age 26. About the same time he joined the Naches Lions Club and was very involved in the Naches Sportsman’s Day and Lion’s White Cane Days. He was awarded the Naches Lion of the year award in 1999. In 2008 he received the Lions Clubs International Foundation award, Melvin Jones Fellow, for his dedicated humanitarian services.

He had a love-hate relationship with the Seattle Mariners, with many explicit remarks during the game. He loved to go fishing, especially with his son, Lincoln, best friends Ray & Barb Marey and his uncle Calvin. Don was a kind of guy that if it was broken he could fix it - may not look pretty but it would work. He always said he was the one who invented the car cupholder between the front seats long before they came out.

Loved ones who will miss him: Best Friend & Wife of 39 years, Kay; Apple of his eye & Huge Blessing in his life his son, Lincoln; Sisters, Jeanne Mansfield & Tammy (Ross) Huber; Niece & daughter of his heart, Cheri (Damon) Pope; Mother, Naomi Kilpatrick; brother-in-law, Jerry Maggard; Nephews, Randy (Angie) Meloy, Dan (Stephanie) Kinley, Dustin (Amber) Kinley, Tony (Lacy) Mansfield, Art Huber, Kyle (Stephanie) Huber; Nieces, Breezi Elyea, Christy & Yvonne Kinley, Katy (Michael) Nordhougen; several grandnieces & grandnephews & 3 great-grandnephews; so many aunts, uncles, cousins & close close friends. Preceding him in death were his father, Charles; loving sister, Patty Maggard; nephew, Jeff Meloy and grandnephew, Luth Patrick Garcia.

Celebration of Don’s life will be held at the Clemans View Sports Park Clubhouse, Sunday, May 27, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The family asks to please dress casually and plan to share a memory of how Don touched your life. Memorial contributions are suggested to Children’s Wishes and Dreams or Naches Lions Club Eye Bank c/o Keith & Keith Funeral Home. To share a memory of Don online, please visit keithandkeith.com