Lowell Arnold Kirkpatrick, Sr. was a proud, humble, generous man. He spent his life as a faithful, loyal follower of Jesus Christ. On April 11, 2021, his Lord and Savior called him home. We know that when he entered the pearly gates, his devoted, loving wife, Janet, was there to greet him with open arms.
Lowell was born in Blackfoot, Idaho on December 10, 1930. He was the youngest of the seven siblings born to Emily Miller and Grover Cleveland Kirkpatrick. He was raised in a rural setting where he learned the value of hard, persistent work. He had numerous jobs growing up and saved every penny that he made in a shoebox under his bed. He routinely did various odd jobs for neighbors. He also was a paperboy, tackle shop worker, and harvested potatoes in the Idaho fields to help fund and fulfill his desire to go to college.
Upon high school graduation, Lowell showed his self-sufficiency and drive by moving by himself to the big city, Los Angeles. He secured a job and enrolled in Woodbury Business College where he graduated with his Bachelor of Business in Higher Accountancy in 1950. After graduation from Woodbury, Lowell embarked on his petroleum accounting career with Shell Oil Company. This job required him to move to seven different locations during his 37-year tenure. Early in his career, he met the love of his life, Janet Norton. Janet and Lowell completed each other. Where he had always been the strong, silent type, she was fun-loving, gregarious, and laughed often. They married on November 7, 1953.
Lowell and Janet raised four children who they adored. Times were lean, but they scrimped and saved so that they could provide whatever was needed for their young family. During this time, they were active in church and helped plant several churches in the cities where they were transferred. Their faith was the center of their life. They trusted the path that God put before them, knowing that if they relied on Him, no obstacle was too difficult to face. They passed this faith and assurance on to their children and considered this their most important legacy.
Lowell’s career at Shell eventually landed him in Houston where he lived out the rest of his days. After retiring from Shell at the age of 57, Lowell served as president of the Petroleum Accountants Society of Houston from 1987-1988. At this point, the children were grown. Lowell and Janet finally had the time and money to relax and travel together, and WOW, did they travel! They took numerous trips, some of which were to Hawaii, The British Isles, Australia, and Israel. These were good times, and Lowell was thankful for the memories created before Janet succumbed to cancer in 1997.
After Janet’s death, Lowell made the decision that it was time to start a new chapter. He sold his house and moved to a newly built retirement community, Eagle’s Trace. Many of his old friends from Shell and church happened to move in at the same time. He was among the first residents there and quickly began an active social life. Lowell approached his new community with gusto. He was deeply involved in both the administrative and the social aspects of his new home. Lowell and his friends had regular happy hours, daily activities, and lots of fun outings. Always a faithful friend, Lowell was surrounded by people that loved and cared for him. These people became part of his extended family, and he treasured them dearly. There are too many to mention, but one of the relationships that was particularly meaningful to him was with Shirley Parker. He also appreciated his caregivers in his final days, most notably, Jerlean Black, who has been caring for the family for 15 years. She offered tender, loving care and friendship first to his daughter, Carri, and finally to Lowell in his last days.
Lowell was preceded in death by his parents, Emily and Grover Cleveland Kirkpatrick, his six siblings (Ethel, Ida, Ralph, Lila, Edith, and Gene) and their spouses; his son in law, Carey Boswell; his grandson, Jesse Zimmerman; and his beloved wife, Janet. Lowell is survived by his four children, Mary Theresa Neece (Bert), Patricia Ann Zimmerman (Mark), Lowell Arnold Kirkpatrick, Jr. (Beth), and Carolyn Edith Kirkpatrick, his eight grandchildren, Michael Boswell; Kirk Boswell (Nikki); Jennifer Watson (Jason); Zach Zimmerman (Sarah); Katie Kirkpatrick, Aubrey Kirkpatrick, Christiana Kirkpatrick (fiancé, Harry Kent), and James Kirkpatrick, his six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews who he visited in Idaho as long as his health allowed.
Following a private visitation and burial service, a memorial service will be held at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church (CMLC). Lowell’s close friend and former pastor, Reverend Steven Simon, is returning from his home in Florida to conduct the service on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 11:30am. This church was important to Lowell. Soon after its formation, Lowell and Janet joined, and he put his accounting skills to work in his role as the CMLC Treasurer. He continued to pray and offer his support for CLMC until his death at age 90.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Christ Memorial Lutheran Church (14200 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77079). Lowell's family would like to thank you for your friendship, condolences and expressions of kindness both before and after his death. Immediately following the memorial service, the family invites you to join them for a reception in the Fellowship Hall.
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