Mell Wilton Kilpatrick Jr

Mell Wilton Kilpatrick, Jr., 94, passed away peacefully January 9, 2022 in Palm Desert, California. He is survived by his son, Kent Kilpatrick, and wife Connie Kilpatrick of Maxton, North Carolina and his two grandsons, Andrew (wife Nicole) and Matthew Kilpatrick. He was preceded in death by his father, Mell Wilton Kilpatrick, Sr., his mother Katherine Elizabeth Woodworth Kilpatrick, his beloved wife of 65 years, Sarah Ann Kilpatrick, his four sisters Beverly, Patricia, Blanche, Evelyn and brother James. Mell lived in Idaho and Ohio, but spent over 90 years residing in California, primarily in Santa Ana, Newport Beach and Palm Desert. A veteran of World War II from 1945-48, he was a Sergeant in the United States Army Air Force stationed in California and flew as a Communications Specialist and Engineer in the Pacific Theater. He was married to the love of his life, Sarah Ann, for over 65 years. He was a member of the Santa Ana BPO Elks Lodge 794 for 72 years. Beginning in 1949, he was employed by the Santa Ana/Orange County Register and Freedom Communications, Inc. for over 45 years, working his way up from a printers apprentice to Vice President of Production for the newspaper in the 1990s. Kilpatrick participated in the community on many advisory and boards of directors, including Fullerton Junior College. He was listed as a Noteworthy Production Engineer in Marquis Who’s Who and a charter member of the Western Newspaper Production Conference during his career. After retirement, Mell and Sarah moved to the desert, where they were members of Avondale Country Club for 30 years. Mell served on the Homeowners Board of Directors for a number years and served twice as President of the HOA. At his passing, he was the second oldest member of Avondale. Services will be Thursday, February 10, 2022. Internment will be with his beloved wife in Fairhaven Memorial Cemetery in Santa Ana, California. Visitation will be in the funeral home chapel room for family and friends from 11 am to 1 pm. A Celebration of Life service will be from 1-2 p.m. in the same, immediately followed by a graveside service with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, Mell requested to please consider a donation in memory of Sarah Kilpatrick to Parkinson’s Research, California at https://www.parkinson.org/Reach/California