Dec. 28, 1944-June 6, 2024 Eldon Kirkpatrick, 79 of Trinity, formerly of Port Arthur and Snyder, passed away Thursday, June 6, 2024, following his lengthy battle with cancer. He was born on December 28, 1944, in Hobbs, N.M., to Goldie Chapman and Eldon Allison. He was a wonderful husband, father, friend, and his most favorite title was being Pawpaw to all of his grandbabies. He loved every single one of them.
One of his greatest accomplishments was earning his 32nd-degree Master Mason title with more than 40-plus years of service. He enjoyed being a Shriner for many years, as well. We all know that was a major part of him and something he has always been proud of.
Another major accomplishment of his was his love of truck- and tractor-pulling of almost 30 years and him being one of the original and founding members of the Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pulling Association being brought into Texas. He made so many lifelong friends along the way and is now reunited once again with all the friends that have passed since.
It all started with him owning Eldon’s Machine Shop in Snyder that he had for many, many years, working in the oil industry for many years, and retirement from the TDCJ where he was employed for 20 years where he was Plant Manager at the Stiles Unit then being a Project Manager for TCI where he travelled the entire state of Texas. Learning every road there is in Texas and being able to tell you exactly how long any trip from any town would take without even looking. In addition to all his endeavors, he was always so smart and knew how to fix just about everything. He was a jack of all trades and mastered every single one of them the Eldon way. Even after his retirement in 2011 and building his dream home with Connie, you would still catch him tinkering around in the shop and going to play poker on Saturday nights with his buddies.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Connie Nobles Kirkpatrick of Trinity; a sister, Lindy Fuller of Colorado City; daughters, Heather Kirkpatrick of Nederland; Kimberly Escareno of Port Arthur; Carla Hamblen and husband, David, of Mildred; Sherry Pritchett of Flower Mound; Trina Fitzgerald of Bryan; Goldie Browning and husband, Michael, of Hermleigh; sons, Chris Way and wife, Amanda, of Trent; Joel Fitzgerald and wife, Tanya, of Caldwell; Casey Way and wife, Andrea, of Mertzon; Jody Fitzgerald and wife, Leslie, of Bryan; granddaughters, Lauren Defrancis, Mia Escareno, Allison Saulter, Jennifer Way, Trinity Fitzgerald, Kelbi Way, Raegan Fitzgerald, Amanda Browning, Hannah Browning, Jessica Hamblen, and Lauren Harman; grandsons, Tyler Way, Jonah Lofton, Jay Thielen, Noah Escareno, Keegan Way, Kameron Way, Ian Fitzgerald, Kai Fitzgerald, Andrew Garvin, Michael Hamblen, and Mathew Hale; great-granddaughters, Asa Turner, Adriana Hamblen, Libby Hamblen; and a great-grandson, Judah Harman.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Goldie Walker; fathers, Eldon Allison and George Kirkpatrick; wife of 25 years, Rita Lee Kirkpatrick; and infant daughter, Christina.
Eldon’s Celebration of Life will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at Dorcas Wills Memorial Baptist Church, 201 N. Robb St.,
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