Harold Cope Kirkpatrick, 92, died on October 14, 2009 in Norman, Oklahoma. Mr. Kirkpatrick was born April 10, 1917 in Beaumont, Texas to his beloved parents, Cliffton and Caroline Kirkpatrick.

In 1940 Mr. Kirkpatrick graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology. He served two tours in China during World War II and retired from the US Air Force after thirty years and a career which took him to every part of the globe. Among many tours of duty, he served as Air Attaché at the US Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela and Inspector General for the US Air Force.

After his retirement, he spent forty years as a cattleman, which was a lifelong passion.

Mr. Kirkpatrick had a deep love and keen perception for animals and the natural world. He cared for thousands of animals during his life, both large and small, and provided a conservation sanctuary for animals on his land in Oklahoma.

Mr. Kirkpatrick was an avid supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. He was an Eagle Scout in his youth and was inducted into the International Explorers Club for discovering a mountain which led to the resolution of a border dispute between Venezuela and Colombia. He also served as the Vice President of the Last Frontier Council from 1960-62.

Harold Cope Kirkpatrick is survived by his four children: Cliffton Lyon Kirkpatrick II of Amarillo, Texas; Diane A. Kearns of Lansing, Michigan; Harold Cope Kirkpatrick, Jr. of Aspen, Colorado; and Janice K. Thomas and husband, Shaw, of Denver, Colorado; his sister: Ruth K. Roberts of Mechanicsville, Virginia; his grandchildren: Erin J. Hagen and husband, Keith, Duncan C. Kirkpatrick, and Kyle G. Kirkpatrick; great granddaughters Annabella and Vivienne Hagen; nephew: Preston Roberts and wife, Karen; and nieces: Martha R. Williams and Nancy R. Higginbothem.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, October 22 at the family plot in Blanco Cemetery, Blanco, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to: Good Shepherd Hospice, 1818 W. Lindsey, Suite B-108, Norman, OK 73069.