James I Kilpatrick III

James I (Jimmie) Kilpatrick III, age 94, left this earth Sunday night, October 4, in an Austin memory care community where he had lived for the past year. Jimmie was the oldest of the four sons, of James I Kilpatrick and Mabel Lee Bentley Kilpatrick. He was born in Cleburne, Texas on February 19, 1921 and as a small boy his family moved to Lubbock, Texas, where his father became a prominent lawyer and civic leader. His father and mother instilled strong values of family, honesty and ethics that Jimmie used the rest of his life in in the way he treated family, employees and acquaintances. At an early age he became interested in building things and built a workshop in the family basement, where he built many of his tools and furniture for the family. He continued to be fascinated with woodworking, building and architecture throughout his life. Jimmie received a degree in mechanical engineering from Texas Tech in 1943. Having been a member of ROTC in college, he enlisted in the Army after college and was discharged in March 1946.

After returning to Lubbock, he entered the construction business and managed the construction of commercial buildings and Furr Food stores in west Texas. On December 23, 1949, Jimmie married a Lubbock school teacher whom he had met on a blind date. For the next 60 years, he and Reba Bernice Bay, who grew up in Killeen, embarked on a romance that was the envy of many. Bernice's father and mother, W.A. “Bill” and Jewel Bay convinced Jimmie and Bernice to come to Killeen to help build a new grocery store for the Bays. After a few building projects in Killeen, and with encouragement from Bernice, Jimmie joined Mr and Mrs Bay, and their two sons and wives Wallace and Mary Bay and Marvin and Jean Bay in the family grocery and furniture businesses in Killeen. The combined families went on to own Piggly Wiggly grocery stores in Killeen and Temple, Furniture Mart and Home Center in Killeen, B& K Pontiac Buick in Killeen, as well other family investments. And later he partnered with his oldest son Mike in Mike Kilpatrick Pontiac Buick.

In the 1962, Jimmie was one of the original directors and a stockholder of Texas State Bank in Killeen, which later became American State Bank and then First Texas Bank. He retired from the board of directors at age 80. He and Bernice were founding members of St Christopher's Episcopal Church in Killeen, originally located off Rancier Ave which was built in the 1950's. They raised their three children in the church and Bernice was one of the early organists in the church.

In the mid 1950's Jimmie became fascinated with flying and hung out at the dirt strip airport east of Killeen where he earned his pilot’s license. From then on, he loved to load Bernice and the three children up in his beloved Piper Comanche, N5840P, on flights across the country. He continued to fly himself and family for business and pleasure almost everywhere he went for the next 30 years. As one of his granddaughters stated upon his passing on October 4, Jimmie would have appropriately said, “ 10-4, November 5840 Poppa, over and out.”

Jimmy and Bernice moved to Salado in 1984 where they made many friends and became very active in the community. Jimmie became a member in the Salado Lions Club. Jimmie and Bernice continued their romance until Bernice died in 2009, at which time Jimmie devoted his life to caring for his daughter Sharon until her death in 2013, the same year his son Michael died of cancer.

Jimmie was predeceased by his parents, his father and mother in-law, his loving wife Bernice, son Michael James Kilpatrick, daughter Sharon Kilpatrick Trogolo, brothers Bentley Kilpatrick and Thomas Kilpatrick. He is survived by his brother David D Kilpatrick of Spokane, Washington, Sister in-law Jean Bay of Killeen, son Bruce Kilpatrick and wife Margaret of Austin, grandchildren Amy Hall and husband Shane of Allen, Jason Kilpatrick and wife Aria, David Kilpatrick and wife Carrie, Shannon Thompson and husband Nick and Chesley Stephens and wife Keely, all of Austin. Also 5 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30am, Friday, October 9 at St Christopher's Episcopal Church. A celebration service of Jimmie's life will be held at St Christopher's Episcopal Church in Killeen on Friday, October 9 at 10:30am, with a burial ceremony at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen at 1pm.

Special thanks go to The Clairmont Retirement Community and Arden Courts Dementia and Alzheimer Center residents and staff in Austin for the friendship and care Jimmie received the past 3 years. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The American Alzheimer Association, St Christopher's Episcopal Church or your favorite cancer association in honor of his late wife, son and daughter.