Michael D. Kirkpatrick, 70, of Morgantown, died suddenly at his home on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Mike was born Nov. 22, 1953, in Marion, Ind., to the late Marylin and Virgil Kirkpatrick. Both skilled educators, they instilled in their son an ethic of civic engagement and the importance of honesty, integrity and dedicated public service. This led him to Purdue University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial management.
He was a proud member of the Farmhouse Fraternity and served as the chapter president his senior year. Later, Mike earned his Certified Public Accountant credentials, which catapulted his career from the Indianapolis Ernst & Ernst office to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Kansas City was Mike’s first assignment with the bureau. While there, he met Lawrence, Kan. native, Sally Llewellyn. They married on Jan. 31, 1981, then crisscrossed the country as Mike rose through the FBI ranks. His assignments brought them to Cleveland, Ohio, Washington, D.C., San Antonio, Texas, Pocatello, Idaho and New Orleans, La. Mike retired from his final assignment in Clarksburg on Aug. 31, 2004, as the FBI’s most senior assistant director, having served as assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division.
Wherever Mike and the family lived, they took advantage of the beauty and activities of the region. They camped in Texas, skied in Idaho, partied in New Orleans and became Mountaineer fans in wild and wonderful West Virginia. Mike loved coaching and watching his kids, Justin and Megan play soccer, basketball and lacrosse, almost never missing a game throughout their childhoods. He was also a lifelong Purdue sports fan.
After retiring from the FBI, Mike enjoyed a variety of professional pursuits, including consulting, private investigation and forensic accounting. He also threw himself into community service through the Cheat Lake Rotary and the Fraternal Order of Police, where he held many elected positions. During his time as Rotary District 7530 Governor from 2015-16, he traveled to every Rotary Club in northern West Virginia twice. Over the course of Mike’s life, his exceptional service and leadership were recognized with many honors and awards.
More recently, Mike loved spending time with his granddaughters, frequently babysitting them with Sally. To stay active, he enjoyed biking on the rail trail, going to the gym and touring regional historical sites. Mike was quick to offer his support and expertise to friends and community organizations.
Mike is survived by his loving wife Sally, of Morgantown; children, Cmdr. Justin Kirkpatrick and wife, Lauren, of Virginia Beach, Va., and Megan Van Etten and husband, Todd, of Arlington, Va.; and granddaughters, Morgan Belle Kirkpatrick, of Virginia Beach, Va., and Parker and Holly Van Etten, of Arlington, Va.
In accordance with Mike’s wishes, cremation services will be provided by Hastings Funeral Home in Morgantown, and a Celebration of Life will take place at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 309 Baldwin St., Morgantown, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, with Pastor Tony Setley officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rotary Club of Cheat Lake, St. Paul Lutheran Church, or another civic organization that is close to your heart.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
