Kenneth Kilpatrick

Kenneth Lindell Kilpatrick went home to Jesus on May 28, 2022 at the age of 95.  He was born on October 8, 1926 in Blue, Lee County, Texas to John Wesley Kilpatrick and Rosa Clara Opplet.  Kenneth had three brothers, Herschel, Weldon and Dale; and one sister, Reta.

He married the love of his life, Roberta Ruth Shannahan from San Antonio, TX on May 2, 1953, together they had four daughters.  The love he had for Roberta was an inseparable, unmatched love that never dimmed or burned out even after her death in 2021. They lived in Houston until 1984 when they moved to their lovely retirement home in Waelder, TX where he loved being outdoors, gardening, farming, fishing, hunting and traveling.   Over the years, he raised cattle, sheep, goats, and tried his hand at raising pigeons and peacocks.

Kenneth is survived by his four daughters, Cecilia Singleton (Jim), Melissa Dearinger (Jeff), Theresa Raney, and Andrea Ainsworth (Russell); ten grandchildren – Cassandra Pettepher (Eric), Matthew Singleton (Suzi), Allison Gonzales (Jeffrey), Chris Dearinger (Rachel), Erin Hoard, Kenny Matano (Olivia), Travis Osburn (Cortney), Tyler Osburn (Avery), Joseph Ainsworth, Amanda Ainsworth; 14 Great-Grandchildren – Tyrann Gonzales, Cynthia Gonzales, Xavier Gonzales, Nicolas Gonzales, Gavin Singleton, Lucas Singleton, Teagan Osburn, Emma Osburn, Kaiden Nistal, Benjamin Dearinger, Emory Dearinger, Ethan Pettepher, Jacob Pettepher, and Bailey Pettepher; and sister, Reta McMillan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his brothers; a grandson, Andrew Matano; a son-in-law, Ronnie Raney; and Travis & Tyler’s dad, Randall Osburn.

Kenneth was considered a very strong man and role model to his daughters.  He had a good sense of humor and liked to play practical jokes when he could.  He served in WWII and the family was told he once stood guard over General MacArthur.  After being honorably discharged, he attended and graduated from Southwest Texas University (kna Texas State University).  He then moved to Houston where he later met Roberta.  He worked for Eddy Meat Packing Company for a while before he landed a job at L B Foster Steel Company as the District Comptroller for 33 years.  He took early retirement at the age of 55 so he could enjoy the farm, traveling and being with family.

He spent time serving in the Waelder Lions Club, FHA, 4-H, and served as the county voter’s election judge during election season, as well as on the Board of Gonzales County Appraisal District.  Both he and Roberta loved serving in their Catholic church community in several different areas, and where he served on their finance committee.   He always was involved in the community in which he lived including and not limited to working with the kids in FHA & 4-H.

The family wants to acknowledge the endless hours, love and care, The Heights of Gonzales and Heart-to-Heart Hospice has given our family over the last 7 years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Heart-to-Heart Hospice in his name.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 1:30 pm, followed by a Rosary at 1:30 and Funeral Services at 2:00 pm at Smith Funeral Home-Flatonia. Burial will follow at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

Words of comfort can be expressed to the family at www.smithfuneraltx.com

Smith Funeral Home- 128 East 5th St. Flatonia, TX 78941 - Phone# 361-865-3311