September 15, 1923 - July 28, 2010
Maureen (Martin) Kirkpatrick Obituary
(Age 86) Maureen lost the battle with cancer on July 28th and departed for her new home in Heaven. Maureen was born in Star City, Arkansas on September 15, 1923. She was the third of six girls of Kinsler Ray Martin and Estelle Oneal. She graduated from high school in 1941 and then moved to Memphis, TN in 1942 where she attended business college. There she met her future husband Herman L. "Kirk" Kirkpatrick on a blind date. Kirk had enlisted in the Army Aviation Cadet Program and was awaiting a pilot training class. She spent the war years working in the office of the now famous Peabody Hotel. She maintained contact with Kirk during pilot training and his 18 months overseas in China with General Chenault's Flying Tigers. When Kirk returned to Memphis in late 1945, they became engaged that November and were married in San Antonio, TX on May 1, 1946. Kirk separated voluntarily from the Air Corps in 1947 and they moved to Norfolk, VA. When the Korean War started in 1950, Kirk was in the first group recalled to active duty. They endured quick moves to Texas, Georgia, back to Texas (Kirk a year in Korea), back to Texas again and then to Alabama for AC&S school. Maureen quickly adapted to becoming an Air Force wife, constant moves and establishing new homes. In 1960, Kirk had a change in career paths that directly involved Maureen. He was assigned to the Air Attache Office at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Later, they had a six month stopover in Washington, D.C. where Maureen attended the State Department language school and the John Robert Powers school. When military personnel are assigned to Diplomatic duty the wife is screened as rigidly as the husband as they are representatives of not only their branch of service but of the United States as well. Maureen took on this assignment seriously, quickly overcame the language barrier, adapted to a new culture and soon became the consummate hostess. While in Argentina she traveled to all of the countries in South America. After 3 1/2 years in Argentina, it was back to the Pentagon. In 1967, they moved to Maxwell AFB for 10 months at the Air War College. They moved from there to the Embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay as Air Attache. After three years in Montevideo, the US Ambassador in Caracas, Venezuela requested the Chief of Staff, USAF to transfer the Kirkpatricks directly to Venezuela as the Defense Attache. This was done and from there they moved back to Washington. Kirk retired from the USAF in 1976 and accepted a job with Boeing in International Sales which led to Bellevue, WA. Eight months later, it was back to the Washington, D.C. office. Three years later, they moved back to Bellevue. In 2000 they moved to Spokane and Maureen's moving days were over. In 64 years of marriage, Maureen converted 25+ houses to homes. Maureen was an avid golfer (lowest handicap was a 9) both as a player and spectator. She took three trips to the British Open, The Ryder Cup in Spain, and numerous LPGA tournaments in the U.S. She was the Ladies Captain for four clubs, the latest being at Rainier Country Club in Seattle. Her second joy was her poodle Charbon, a therapy dog, visiting shut-ins, nursing homes and later in the Reading Rover program at Sheridan Elementary School She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Spokane, Manito Country Club, and a past member of Spokane Country Club and the Delta Society. Her service to our country was recognized when she was presented a rare "Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Air Force". It read: "To all who shall see these presents, greeting: this to certify that MAUREEN M. KIRKPATRICK, on the occasion of the retirement of her husband from active duty with the UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, has earned grateful appreciation for her own unselfish, faithful and devoted service. Her unfailing support and understanding helped to make possible her husband's lasting contribution to the Nation". It was dated October 1, 1976 and signed by David C. Jones, Chief of Staff. She was preceded in death by her parents, and two sisters: Mellie (John) Clary, and Odessa (Classford) Muckleroy. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Kirk; three sisters: Juanita Brockman of Little Rock, AR, Frances Whitehead Smock of Spokane, Kientzene Felice of Spokane; and two godchildren: Melinda Kenney of Spokane and Cathy Morrison of Satellite Beach, FL. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on August 20th at First Presbyterian Church at 318 S. Cedar Street. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Humane Society of Spokane, Hospice ofSpokane, American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice. Condolences by email may be sent to kirkflyingtigers@msn.com or through the Heritage Funeral Home.