Ryan K. Kirkpatrick

Ryan Kemps Kirkpatrick, 47, passed away in his sleep on May 30, 2022, at Cedar Hill Health Care Center. Ryan was born August 6, 1974, in Dallas to Karen Lewis, of Daingerfield, Texas, and Roger Kirkpatrick, of Dallas. He resided in Carrollton, Texas. He is also survived by his sisters Joy Bragg, of Portland, Oregon; Kristi Kirkpatrick, of Dallas; brothers Randall Kirkpatrick, of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Ryan McMillian, of Plano; Blake Hawthorne, of Woodland, California; and his stepdad, Dr. James Lewis, of Daingerfield. He graduated in the Class of 1994 from Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, Texas. After graduation, he lived in a Group Home in Ft. Worth managed by Ms. Glenda Clinton. He was very close to Ms. Glenda. She loved Ryan and took the best possible care of him during the last 15 years of his life. While he lived at the group home, he had a job at a workshop. He made a little money which he would spend on cokes and candy.

Ryan’s greatest passion was going to week long sessions at Camp Summit in Paradise, Texas. Just being there was his paradise. He attended Camp at least once a year for over 30 years. During his camp years, he met many counselors and made lots of friends. The Camp staff and counselors cherished him and provided many long lasting memories. His favorite part was the camp party on the last night. He liked dancing with the girls and was voted “best dancer” on more than one of his sessions. He had some moves that would have made Elvis proud.

Another passion was food. He was a real connoisseur of pizza, tacos, enchiladas, chili dogs, ice cream, and cake to name just a few. He knew all the locations of the Taco Bells, Cici Pizzas, Burger Kings, and of course his favorite, Ojedas, on his way back-and-forth to Ft. Worth.

Ryan liked to watch TV, especially Disney movies and westerns. He called westerns “horses” for obvious reasons and “Gunsmoke” was the western he enjoyed the most. Over the years, he loved many of the Disney and other movies including Lion King, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Harry and the Henderson’s, and of course ET. He saw his movies and favorite TV shows so many times he knew the words and would either sing along or direct the orchestra or both.

Ryan was outgoing, fun loving, and friendly to everyone he met. He would ask a passing stranger, “how are you?” And, of course, they would respond “fine, how are you?” He was a free spirit who brought so much joy to all of us. He will be greatly missed. His passion for life and his gift of love and happiness will always be a part of our consciousness.

In lieu of flowers, a gift in Ryan's honor may be made to Camp Summit under the "Donations" tab below.

A Celebration of Ryan’s life will be held Friday, June 10, 2022, at 12:00 noon guided by Reverend Patti Generes, Assistant Pastor of A Center For Spiritual Living, Dallas. Visitation: 10:00 a.m. prior to the service.

Burial: Parkdale Cemetery.