Cover photo for Gary Kirkpatrick's Obituary
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1948 Gary 2018

Gary Kirkpatrick

April 6, 1948 — February 19, 2018

Gary Kirkpatrick, formerly of Modesto, California, passed away peacefully at his Grants Pass, Oregon home surrounded by his wife Marcie and his family on February 19, 2018. He was 69 years old.

Gary was born April 6, 1948, in Modesto, California to Kenneth and Vernona (Emig) Kirkpatrick. As the younger of two children, Gary spent his childhood in the central valley of California and graduated from Thomas Downey High School in 1966. From 1967 to 1970 he served in the United States Army which included a tour of duty in Vietnam where he was in communications. After his honorable discharge, he obtained his Associate degree from Modesto Junior College and his real estate license. He spent 44 years serving in the real estate industry in Modesto, CA. Gary was a man of integrity, with excellent skills and a pleasant demeanor who enjoyed working with people. He retired from Berkshire Hathaway Commercial Property Group in May 2017. In June he was diagnosed with a rare form of Bulbar ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and in August they moved to their new home near family in Grants Pass.

Gary took pride in his work and enjoyed being active in his community. He was a member of the Modesto North Rotary Club, serving a term as President and volunteering his time and energy to many of the Rotary projects including the Parent Resource Center in Modesto. In his free time, Gary enjoyed cooking, gardening, and concerts in the park with friends. In his younger years he loved snow skiing and golf. He truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures - well-cooked tenderloin, weekends at the coast, completing a project around their home, and visits with family and friends.

Gary and Marcie enjoyed 23 years of marriage together. They had many wonderful travels and adventures, from cruising in Alaska to cooking school in Italy and researching his heritage in Scotland. He had a zest for life and the perfect partner by his side. Through marriage he became an instant father to daughter, Teresa, and son, John. He approached fatherhood with the same enthusiasm he brought to everything he loved. He encouraged them in all their interests and celebrated their accomplishments. He welcomed his favorite granddaughter, Vivian, in 2014 and loved spending time with her.

Gary is survived by his wife, Marcie Kirkpatrick of Grants Pass, OR ; his children Teresa (Jason) Mohr, of Minnetonka Beach, Minnesota and John F. Crater, III of Monterey, CA , granddaughter Vivian Marie Mohr; sister, Karen Fischer of Ceres, CA; mother in law, Patricia Wooddy of Grants Pass, OR, sister in law, Sheri Murphy (Carol Holland) of Grants Pass OR; brothers in law, James Murphy (Evelyn) of Klamath Falls, OR, Bill Murphy (Michelle) of Lafayette, OR, Dan Murphy (Lisa) of Camino, CA, 12 nephews and nieces, 14 great nephews and nieces, 16 great-great nephews and nieces, and many dear friends.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Hull and Hull Funeral Directors in Grants Pass, OR. A committal service with military honors will be at 11:00 am, Monday, March 5, 2018 at Eagle Point National Cemetery in Eagle Point, OR.
A celebration of life will be planned in Modesto at a future date.

Remembrances may be made to the ALS Association Oregon & SW Washington Chapter, 2305 Ashland Street, Suite C Box # 458, Ashland, OR 97520 or www.alsa-or.org and The Parent Resource Center, 811 5th Street, Modesto, CA 95354 or www.prcfamilies.org .

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