George Michael Kirkpatrick

George Michael Kirkpatrick was born to to Robert Lee Andersen and Constance (Connie) Lorraine Tharp on November 13, 1946 in Iowa City, Iowa. He was named after his grandfather George Sylvester Tharp and after the doctor who delivered him Michael Stoddard. He always said I'm so glad mom didn't name me Sylvester. Glen Richard Kirkpatrick married his mother before he was born so he has always had the Kirkpatrick name.

Michael married Susan on December 20, 1985 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They have been married for 41 years.

Michael and Susan joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on March 10, 1990. They both got their Patriarchal Blessing on August 04, 1991.

Michael and Susan were "Sealed For Time and All Eternity" on August 31, 1991 in the Las Vegas, Nevada Temple.

Michael Kirkpatrick also know as Ripper or Ninja Boy. Oh, and he made his nieces and nephews call him "King Michael". Yes, he always went by Michael. His mother would get so upset when someone called, him Mike. She said I named him Michael not Mike. I have to agree with her I don't like it either.

He got the nickname Ripper from his friend in California. When he was younger living in California, he was actually in a gang called the Rigents. I will not tell you how he got the nickname Ripper.

Connie and Michael took the train from Des Moines, Iowa and went to Tucson, Arizona. Then they moved to Phoenix, Arizona for a long time. Then they moved to Santa Ana, California. Then to LA. He moved to Vegas in May of 1978 to rekindle a relationship with Betty a childhood girlfriend and ended up getting married and divorced quite quickly. He was only married to her for one year, 3 months, and 10 days and he says it was sheer hell. They were divorced in 1981.

Michael worked in downtown LA for Union Bank and a stock brokerage firm, Glore Forgan, Willim R. Strats who was the first stock broker to move to Pasadena, California in 1940. He was a margin clerk for the San Francisco and Walnut Creek office. That was a fun job but they got bought out by F.I, Dupont, They wanted him to move to New York City to be a Stock Trader. He said Hell no.

So, he quit his job and went back to attending college at Los Angeles City College and graduated with an AA degree. He graduated in 1973 and then he went to UCLA and graduated in 1976 with a degree in Economics. He always wanted to go to USC but there was no way he could have afforded that.

Michael graduated from UCLA but loved his favorite team the USC Trojans.

Michael worked for Safeway-Vons in California and Nevada. That is where he met his wife, Susan. He had a lot of friend from Safeway-Vons. But the only ones that have kept in contact with is Bob & Gloria Stinnett.

As you all know Michael loved motorcycles. His last one was a Kawasaki ZX-14 Ninja. He rode it until he was 69 years old. He has got it up to 160. He loves to take off on his bike and explore old two-lane roads where he can really dial it on and not have to worry about motor vehicles or Highway Patrol Cars trying to catch him.

Yes, here is a story of one time he outran the police. He would always come home from a riding and he took off his helmet and gloves and then would pull his bike in the garage. But this one day he came into the house and had his helmet and gloves still on I thought something was wrong with him I said are you OK? He said don't answer the door and be very quiet. I just looked at him... he said I just out ran a policeman on a motorcycle. There are so many stories like this one.

His first bike was a little Honda 350 and now he rides the Big Bad Ninja. Actually, this is his fourth Ninja and all of the staff at Juvenile Justice call him Ninja Boy. Now you know how he got the name Ninja Boy.

One more story I came home from work and there were 3 motorcycles in the garage. He said Susan I wish you could have seen the look on your face. A man has to always have his "horse" in the corral and ready to ride at the drop of a hat. Only my horse is an iron horse and does not eat hay, but 91 octane fuel. From 0 to 100... like a rocket ship blasting off for Mars.

Michael had several different jobes with Clark County. His last one was Senior Management Analyst in the Department of Juvenile Justice Services. He worked for them for a total of 19 years and 6 months.

Michael still to this day keep in contact with his friends. Patti Meek from Arizona they have known each other since the 4th grade at Madison Park Elementary School. Greg Martin from California, one of his closest friends. They were locker buddies at Willard Jr. High School in 1962. And Willi, Vasken, Roger, Brian and their wives. They were and are still friends from California. All the old gang members.

Michael, also loved animals that is one thing we both have in common. We have had about 40 dogs and cats since we have been married.

Oh, I just want to let everyone know that Michael and I both wrote our obituaries about four years ago when we bought our cemetery plots. Michael did not want it to be hard for me.

Preceded in death his parents Constance Tharp, Robert Andersen, Stepmother Darlene Andersen, Glen Kirkpatrick. Brothers Victor Clayton Kirkpatrick, Richard (Rick) Kirkpatrick, Brother-in-law Bobby Oliver, Sister-in-law Karen Betteridge. Nephew Matthew Betteridge. And several dogs and cats.

Survived by his wife Susan Kirkpatrick and three cats Kitty Kitty, Jimmy, Johnny. Two dogs Gidget, Roxy. Brothers Tim, Tom Andersen, Sisters Janine Scott, Sally Andersen. Nephews Kevin, David, Nicholas, Nieces Shana, Constance, Lisa, Tabitha, Amber, Jocelynn. And Sister-in-law's Diana, Eveline.

I would like to thank everyone that was there to help Michael and I this last year. Our friends, neithbors, family and the Church I will never be able to thank you enough for always being there for us. And most of all, I want to thank my Heavenly Father for never leaving my side.