James "Buba" Kilpatrick

James “Buba” Kilpatrick of McGregor died early Saturday morning, October 13, 2012, at the age of 85. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 16, 2012, at Zion Lutheran Church, 503 S. Tyler Street, McGregor, Texas with Pastor Walter Klockers officiating. Interment will follow in Crawford Cemetery under the direction of Cole Funeral Home, 1113 West Fifth Street, McGregor. Visitation will be 6 to 8 P.M. Monday at Cole Funeral Home.

Mr. Kilpatrick was born August 21, 1927, in Crawford, Texas, the son of the late Eben Robert and Edith May (Deering) Kilpatrick, II. He was a 1947 graduate of Crawford high School where he played football. He served his country in the United States Navy from September 1944 to July 1946 and again from April 1950 to December 1951. He continued his education at Clifton Jr. College where he played football and graduated in 1950. On June 8, 1957, he married Janell Fehler at Zion Lutheran Church in McGregor. After fifty-two years of marriage, she preceded him in death October 7, 2009.

Much of Buba’s life was spent in sales. He was employed by the Hargis Company and Farm Bureau Insurance in Waco and with John Hendrickson Insurance in McGregor. He later worked the family farm in McGregor and was a rural mail carrier until his 1990 retirement.

Buba loved Zion Lutheran Church where he was an active member as long as his health permitted. He used his base voice which God gave him to sing in the choir for many years. He served faithfully as an usher for many years and was a member of the Lutheran Brotherhood and the Men’s Breakfast Club. He was a former member of the McGregor Lion’s Club and the McGregor Coop. He enjoyed drinking coffee with his “buddies” at McGregor Farm Center. He was an avid domino player and Crawford Pirate fan and enjoyed dove hunting. It brought him much enjoyment to watch his son Jamie play Football and baseball and dancing with his wife Janell.

Also preceding him in death were two brothers, Eben Robert Kilpatrick, III, Billy Kilpatrick; two sisters, Lorraine Boice and Mary Frances “Potsy” Caldwell.

Survivors include a son, Jamie Kilpatrick and wife Teresa of Lucas; two daughters, Janice Knight and husband David of Franklin, Jackie Hejl and husband Chip of Crawford; a sister, Sugar Miller of Austin; eight grandchildren, Nathan, Reagan and Kevin Hejl, Rachel and Ian Knight, Taylor, Natalie and Jenna Kilpatrick.

For those desiring, the family has suggested Zion Lutheran Church, 503 S. Tyler Street, McGregor, Texas 76657 for memorial contributions.