Funeral services for Russell Dale Kirkpatrick 86 year old Fay, OK resident were held on Friday, June 3, 2016 at 10:00 A.M.in the Fay Auditorium in Fay, Ok with David Beck officiating, under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home of Thomas. Dale was born on the family farm January 13, 1930, near Fay, Oklahoma, to Hubert Clay (H.C.) and Lola Pauline (Frans) Kirkpatrick and passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2016 at Weatherford Regional Hospital in Weatherford, OK. Dale attended school at Garden Valley Elementary and Fay Schools, where he met the love of his life, Barbara “Bobby” Louise Litsch. They eloped and were married June 29, 1950 – a union that lasted 65 years. Dale always said Bobby’s mother, Loretta, was not too happy with him after the elopement; but he won her over through the years and she considered him a keeper. Together, Dale and Bobby ran a successful wheat and cattle operation and raised three daughters, one niece, and one nephew. His greatest blessings were his 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Bobby always complained that she never had any help around the house because Dale always had the three girls driving tractors and wheat trucks and working on the farm with him - which the girls enjoyed much more than cooking and cleaning house. Dale was an avid bowler. He & Bobby were members of a league in Watonga for many, many years. He also enjoyed card playing, water skiing, fishing, camping, and deer hunting in Colorado. Dale was not one to sit idle: throughout his life, he worked on the railroad, in a grocery store, and painted grain elevators, was a Farmers Union Insurance Agent, served on the Board of the Production Credit Association in Clinton, OK, owned a bulldozer and backhoe service, and performed many other miscellaneous jobs. All of these were in addition to the farming and ranching-- which he loved so much he returned to after years of retirement and continued until his death. He especially loved his Case backhoe, which we secretly think may have been held together by duct tape and baling wire! Dale fulfilled his love of flying and obtained his Private Pilot’s license in the 1970’s. He spent many hours soaring around in his Citabria Taildragger and Cessna and giving rides to friends and family. He & Bobby were very active in the International Flying Farmers Organization. Dale served as an International Board Member, the Oklahoma Chapter President for many terms, as well as many other offices. The IFF Conventions provided many travel opportunities across the US. During retirement, Bobby & Dale spent much of their time traveling in their motor home. They did some international adventuring, but spent most leisure time in 49 of the United States - not yet having figured out a way to get that motor home to Hawaii! Most summers were spent in Gunnison, Colorado, fishing, looking for bargains at garage sales, and enjoying time away from the Oklahoma heat. Dale never met a stranger. He could strike up a conversation with a fence post. He dearly loved all babies and children, and they were drawn to his charm. Dale could always be counted on to have a joke or two on hand. Even in the end, Dale proved himself to be a very devoted spouse, making it his life’s work to continue being by his love’s side every day. Bobby’s definition of Dale: “Perfect.” Dale is survived by his wife Bobby of the home; daughters Catherine (Cathy) Louise Brownlee and Wayne of Okeene, Susan Ann Conkling and Jack of Oklahoma City, and Lori Dale Nuzum and Don of Ponca City; grandsons Kirk Patrick Brownlee of Oklahoma City, Justin Patrick Conkling and Stephanie of Melbourne, Australia (Andrew Jackson (A.J.), Adele, & Ashton), and Don Jeffrey (D.J.) Nuzum and Melissa of Norman (Caroline); granddaughters Karen Cathy (K.C.) Brownlee of Okeene, Erika Evans and Bryan of Edmond (Elle, Emma, & Jackson Dale (J.D.)), Andra Dale Keim and Christopher of Oklahoma City (Perry, Payton, & Parker Dale), Kristy Redman and Miles of Jet (Paige, Kaylynn, Danielle, & John Russell), and Karlee Brownlee of Okeene. He is also survived by his brother Kent Kirkpatrick of Thomas; one special great-niece Wendy Gray of Ardmore; brothers- and sisters- in-law Thomas and Sheila Litsch of Clinton; Bud and Dody Boyd of Weatherford; Jim and Mary Ann Sanders of Thomas, and Bill and Vicki Litsch of Thomas; and a host of loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Dale was preceded in death by his parents H.C. and Lola Kirkpatrick; his brother Wayne Kirkpatrick; a cousin Sandra Poppe; a niece Terri Poppe Gray; and a nephew Steve Poppe. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fay Community Association (Roof Fund/Dale Kirpatrick) P.O Box 102 Fay, OK 73646
