:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/I5KSFERFYCOHCQ4E5OPZUBDFUI.jpg)
Jerry Kirkpatrick, 79, of Creston died Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, at his home.
Celebration of life services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, at Pearson Family Funeral Service and Cremation Center, 809 W. Montgomery St., in Creston. Paul Vandevender will officiate. Open visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will be private in Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project at support.woundedwarriorproject.org. Online condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.
Jerry Dean Kirkpatrick, son of Dwight L. and Anna Irene (Peairs) Kirkpatrick, was born Oct. 7, 1939, at home in Ringgold County. The family moved to Creston when Jerry was 5 years old, and he attended Creston Public Schools. As a junior in high school, Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Navy as part of the ROTC program. In May 1958, Jerry graduated from Creston High School and immediately began his two year commitment in the Navy, serving on the USS Midway. Jerry received his honorable discharge, and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army.
On Feb. 8, 1974, Jerry married Sue-Fei Huang in Taipei, Taiwan. Following four tours of duty in Vietnam and 22 years serving his country, Jerry retired. He was honorably discharged March 31, 1979, from the Army, and returned to civilian life in Creston. He began a 20-year career as custodian for Creston Community Middle School.
Jerry supported the Wounded Warrior Project.
Jerry is survived by his wife Sue-Fei Kirkpatrick of Creston; son Dwight Kirkpatrick of Madrid; stepdaughter Den-ny Hwang (husband Rick Housler) of Washington, D.C.; brother Edward (Barbara) Kirkpatrick of Newport News, Virginia; sisters, Colleen Brotherton, Lois (Bill) Jay and Diana Loomis, all of Creston; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; brother Boyd Kirkpatrick; sister Carol Wynn; brothers-in-law, Jack Wynn and Richard Brotherton; and sister-in-law Doris Kirkpatrick.