Gary Louis Kirkpatrick

Gary Louis Kirkpatrick , loving husband, adoring father and grandfather,

precious brother, son and friend found peace after a courageous 2-1/2 year

battle with unrelenting brain cancer on Saturday September 8, 2012 in the

comfort and serenity of his peaceful home in Mineola, Texas. Born April 15,

1953 in Dallas, Texas, Gary is preceded in death by his parents L. B. and

Neva Kirkpatrick, and survived by his loving and devoted wife Nancy,

children, Stephanie Rauschuber and husband David, Robert, Angela and Billy

Kirkpatrick, step-daughter and son-in-law Stephanie and Kyle Wolery,

grandchildren Hannah Rauschuber and Kai Wolery, two sisters Judy Youngs and

husband Don, and Sandy Bell, as well as a host of cousins, aunts and uncles,

nieces and nephews, friends and fishing buddies too numerous to count.

A career Dallas Police officer, who followed in the footsteps of his father,

Gary spent much of his career in homicide and eventually led the Special

Investigations Unit which investigated high-profiled homicide cases and

police shootings. He enjoyed his final days and years with his wife Nancy

among the serene and peaceful beauty of their farm in Mineola, where the

Kirkpatrick Cattle Company was founded following his retirement from DPD in

2010.

Although he was proud to serve as a Dallas police officer for over 38 years,

he was most proud of his role as a father and step-father. His sons and

daughters, for whom he was the ultimate mentor and role model, were his

pride and joy. He spent tireless hours serving as a scout leader and

football dad, while also attending countless dance recitals, cheer routines

and homecoming courts . Gary delighted in the capabilities and achievements

of each child individually, and never tired of watching them excel in

everything they chose to do.

His proudest accomplishments included accompanying son Robert to Philmont

Scout Ranch, New Mexico, where together they traversed 66 miles of rugged

terrain, while forging an unbreakable bond between father and son; walking

his princess Angela across the field on on every high school homecoming

game, and cheering Billy toward victory on the football field. Special

thanks to daughter Stephanie for teaching him to be a great dad, and for

giving him the gift of his first granddaughter, and to his step-daughter

Stephanie for sharing her mother, and for giving the gift of a precious

grandson.

Gary will be remembered as an avid fisherman who rarely met a fish he

couldn't catch, a boat he didn't love, or a lake he couldn't conquer. Lake

Fork was his favorite fishing hole of all. He was a gentle giant of a man

who rarely raised his voice, even in the most trying circumstances. A man

characterized by few words, his "I love you's" will be forever cherished by

those he loved and who loved him in return.

Memorial/Celebration of life: Thursday, September 13, 1:00 p.m. , First

Baptist Church Rockwall, 610 South Goliad Street, Rockwall, Texas, 75087.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorials may be made to the

Neuro-Oncology Research Foundation, Baylor Health Care System Foundation,

3600 Gaston Avenue, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75246.