On Friday March 12th, Mike was admitted to the ICU in the St George Regional Hospital for Septic Shock, just the day after celebrating his 88th birthday. Monday morning, he was pronounced dead. But, in Mike fashion, he said “I need to say good-bye”. His big loving heart started beating again. He improved for 4 days then declined and we were able to bring him home. Mike was able to see his whole family and have one last three day party, all the while watching the BYU Cougars and the Utah Jazz. Mike loved music and as he passed holding hands with his wife and daughter, the Tabernacle Choir was peacefully singing, It Is Well With My Soul.
Michael Kay Kirkpatrick was born March 11, 1933 to Jesse Baird Kirkpatrick and Jane Reynald Zerby in Houston, Texas. He was raised by his stepmother, Bertha Beck Kirkpatrick, after a tragic car accident took his mother’s life when he was two years old. He died March 22, 2021 in Hurricane, Utah.
Mike had a beautiful testimony of the life and mission of our Savior Jesus Christ and loved sharing his testimony. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he enjoyed serving in many callings. His true love was serving with the youth and he spent many years helping Young Men succeed in their lives.
Mike loved people and always wanted to surround himself with people. He grew up playing with his brothers and cousins on the bank of the Neches River in Evadale, Texas. He loved spending time with his grandparents and Aunt Violet. He was known to always be the life of the party from a very young age.
Mike’s first love was his family. He met his future wife, Jacquelin Joy French, while he was serving in the Army in Germany. Mike traveled to Switzerland for the dedication of the Swiss Temple. Jacquie was there singing with the Tabernacle Choir and they were set up on a blind date. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1959. They had two children, Kevin Lee and Kimberly, who were the light of his life. He devoted his life to them and their happiness, always providing every opportunity and supporting them in all their endeavors. He was found on a sideline, bleacher or timing swim meets. He was always their biggest fan.
After Jacquie passed away in 1993, Mike married Marged Ashton in 1994 in the Salt Lake Temple. They also met on a blind date. They enjoyed every moment they had together, loving many adventures along the way. Family was their life. Every Sunday, the whole family gathered for dinner. Mike always made birthdays and holidays special for each member of his family. In 2002, they served a Public Affairs mission to the Africa West Area, living in Ghana. They loved the African people and spending 24/7 together. Upon returning home, they served as VIP Hosts for the Church, meeting many dignitaries from around the world.
On Saturdays, Mike could be found in the yard mowing, planting flowers and improving his home. He loved a manicured lawn and garden. It gave him joy to have gatherings in his home and his beautiful backyard in Holladay where he resided for more than 50 years. Mike and Marged moved to Hurricane, Utah 4 years ago and continued their tradition of entertaining.
Mike attended Texas A&M, BYU, then graduated from Dental School at the University of Missouri Kansas City. After graduation, he served as a Captain in the Air Force as a dentist and then opened his own dental practice. He was a great story teller and had an infectious laugh. Dentistry provided the opportunity for him to tell stories since he had a captive audience!
Mike is survived by his wife Marged, daughter Kimberly (Ross) Hamilton, grandchildren Krystal (Taycia Libertini), Kacie (Travis) Quinn, Kylee (Emjai Johnson), Kody (Megan), Derek, Riley (Aarica), Ethan, great grandchildren Braden, Carson, Parker, Riley, Aiden, 2 honorary grandchildren Jackson and Sydney Norwood, brothers Jesse (Lynn) Kirkpatrick, Charles (Judy) Kirkpatrick and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Jacquie, parents, and son Kevin.
He has been the center of all of our lives and will be deeply missed. We look forward to seeing his smiling face and hearing his infectious laugh when we are all together again.
There will be a viewing Sunday March 28 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Larkin Sunset Lawn 2350 E 1300 S Salt Lake City. Funeral services will be held Monday March 29 at 1:00 PM in the Holladay 26th Ward Chapel 4601 South 2565 East with a viewing prior from 11:00 – 12:30 PM. Interment Memorial Mountain View Cemetery. Masks and social distancing appreciated. The funeral will be live streamed at https://zoom.us/j/97657758236?pwd=bXgyWlZ4QVQ5bFZsWCtyMklxVzdHQT09
Services under the direction of Larkin Mortuary
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- Marged Kirkpatrick, Wife
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Cindy Lou Poliska
Sending massive amounts of love from the Kalana family. My father Frank Sr., a good friend to Mike, and his entire family, surely greeted him with Jacquie and Kevin. Mike, Jacquie, Kevin and Kimberly are loved by me eternally. Truly Kimberly is my first young love, and Kevin my first young best friend. Many loved, wonderful, cherished memories with the Kirkpatrick Family, will never fade. Indeed this weekend on Easter, the resurrection promise is alive and well. I am so sorry for the loss to Marged and Kimberly, yet am certain that Michael will in his way, reassure all who are or were close to him. The promise of life after death, is represented in the nature of the season of Springtime. Beautiful flowers bloom, the earth is refreshed, all which slept in winter now spring into new life. I am especially blessed to have known the Kirkpatrick family, who are forever an example to me of life well lived, in faith, in light, in love, in friendship and in testimony. Blessings be upon all the Kirkpatrick family always.