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
Frances and I feel our lives have been blessed and our hearts touched many times through the ministering love of Mike and Marged. We have been blessed to live so close to them these last few years. We will feel his loss, his always positive attitude (especially these last few months. He never complained), and his willingness to give. Often we have thanked the Lord in prayer for our friendship with him.
He will not be forgotten.
Dear Marged,
We are so sad for your loss and even sadder we cannot see you and share our love because we are out of town this week. Please know we are thinking of you and praying for the Spirit to be with you and comfort you in your loss.
Lots of love,
Patrick & Diane Healey
We cannot express in words what your friendship and companionship has meant to our family over the years. Thank you for your examples in good living and righteous enthusiasm. Mike until you welcome us back home we’ll take good care of Marged.
Marged, My deepest sympathy to you and your family. May your memories help get you through this difficult time of losing the love of your life. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mike was one of the great young men leaders of my youth. He was always positive, happy and genuinely interested in me. I’m eternally grateful for Mike Kirkpatrick.
Market., we are so saddened at the passing of one whom we have come to love, respect, admire, and whose friendship we cherish. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and those who cherish and grieve at his memory. We must get together for lunch and confirm our love and relationship.
We will miss him so much. Chuck cannot believe his big brother will never be around again. But he is glad he will now be at peace and without pain with the heavenly father.
We were very sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. I really enjoyed the times we were with him on trips and at events. With our best wishes,
Scott Brown
Dear cousin Margie, I am so sorry to hear that your Mike has passed away. He seemed to me to be one of the joyous ones, and they are rare gems. Know that I am thinking of you and sending you and your family love and hugs. Ali
So sorry to hear about your husband’s passing 😢
Our love thoughts and prayers are with you 💗🙏💗🙏💗🙏💗
We are so sorry to see that Mike passed away, and we offer our deepest condolences to the family. Marged, our prayers are with you, we know how much you and Mike loved and enjoyed each other. It was a joy to serve with you in Public Affairs hosting--many happy memories!
May the Lord bless and comfort you.
With love, John and Shauna
What a great man! I'm so grateful for the chance to get to know Mike in his later years and to serve together. I remember when his son Kevin passed away at too young an age. Mike is now with him and other loved ones.
I'm also grateful I was able to speak with you, Marged, though briefly before Mike died. Lori and I send our love and prayers. Lord bless you and all your family.
Dear Marged and Kim,
I am so sad to hear that Mike has passed away. He was my home teacher for years after I moved back into the Holladay 26th ward. Of course I knew him when I was young, too. He was such a good man and a positive influence in my life. I am sad that I will not see him again in this life. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family at this tender time. May you feel an extra measure of our Savior's comfort as you grieve.
All my love,
Rachel Collette
Brother Mike will be missed. I will always have fond memories of him. He was a kind, good guy..
I was blessed to have Mike as my youth leader for many years. He was a positive influence in my life. I am so thankful for his kindness and service. He will be missed.
Margie,
So sorry to hear of Mike's passing. What a wonderful, happy man! I'll have to give you a virtual hug until I see you next. Much love..
Dear Marged,
I was so very sorry to read of Mike's passing away. I have such lasting, wonderful memories of both of you at the Park. You were "equally yoked" together in all you did. Mike was always such a kind & interested friend, always wanting to know how I was and always expressed appreciation for my time at the Park. Please know I am thinking of you and praying for you my dear pioneer friend.
Love and friendship always,
Carolyn Madson
I’m so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He was such a happy, supportive, loving man. Whatever you, Marged, we’re doing at the Park, Mike was always there smiling and lending a helping hand or bringing you lunch. I know sometimes his leg hurt him but he never let that stop him from working hard and helping everywhere he could. My heart hurts for you Marged but what wonderful memories of happy times with Mike you must have. Love to you
We in my family are saddened to hear of Mike's passing. He has blessed my family in many, many ways. I will ever be grateful for his testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and for his service to me and my family.
Marged thinking of you and hope you remember the good times together. Sorry I couldn’t see you today.
May you feel peace and love from your family and friends. Love Dauna Morgan Jones
Marged,
It was a shock and profound sadness to hear of Mike’s passing. I still fondly remember my cousin when we were children, and will be forever grateful we became reacquainted, even though so many years had gone by. It was a joy to spend time with Mike discussing our family history and to meet Mike’s family. My sincerest condolences to all of you.
John and Audrey Zerby
Houston, Texas