Elmer “Ted” Kirkpatrick was born January 31, 1945, in Haynie Hospital in Durant, Okla. to Myrle Holcomb and W.A. “Dub” Kirkpatrick. Ted passed from this life on March 15, 2022, surrounded by his family.
Ted graduated Caddo High School in 1963, joined the Army reserves in 1964 and shortly after that, he met local city girl Cindy Tyson. They were married August 27, 1966.
Ted hauled cattle with Kirkpatrick Cattle Hauling, his father’s company, until it sold. He attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University and worked for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol as a dispatcher until 1970 when he found his passion, the cattle feeding industry.
In August 1970, Ted went to work for Pete Earls at Oklahoma Vegetable Oil from that point forward he moved his family around Oklahoma and Texas being an integral part of the Beef and Feed Industry. In 1976, Ted went to work for H.T. Jackson and Johnny Shephard at Texas Feed Fat in Denison, Texas. That same year things changed and Ted and Johnny became partners.
In 1984, Ted and Cindy became sole owners of Texas Feed Fat Company and continued to grow the family business. Later they moved the business home to Durant, Okla. in 1991.
Ted and Cindy are active in the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Ted was Chairman of the Board for several years and an Elder. He was president of American Cutting Horse Association and an active member of many other cutting horse and rodeo organizations. He was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge.
He loved to help anyone who wanted to learn how to rope, ride, cut or simply to enjoy the cowboy way of life.
Ted enjoyed most of all being with his family in the arena on a cutting horse, on the lake in his boat or skiing down a mountain. Then to satisfy Cindy, he learned to enjoy the beach.
He loved being called Poppy by his grandkids Cylan Sehi, Rowan and Natalie Kirkpatrick. They were the only ones that could wear his hat, as cowboys don’t let anyone touch their hat.
He was preceded in death by his parents, W.A. and Myrle Kirkpatrick and in-laws, Joe and Cecile Tyson.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy Kirkpatrick,;son Tad Kirkpatrick and wife Sandra; daughter, Ceciley Sehi and husband Kirk; sister, Jaynie Stricklen and husband Frank; brother, Joe Kirkpatrick and wife Vicki; grandchildren, Cylan Sehi, Rowan and Natalie Kirkpatrick and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Pallbearers will be Don Alexander, Charlie Baker, Pug Harris, Brent Lyday, Scott Moore, Lee Riddle, Bob Rogers and John Wagler
Honorary pallbearers are A.O. Campbell, Casey Carr, Bud Lowrance and Fred Nickles.
Cutter’s Prayer
Lord, when I die,
I would want for nothin’
if there are horses in Heaven
and some steers for cuttin’.
