Alfred (Fred) Earl Kirkpatrick passed away peacefully at his home in Ridgecrest surrounded by family on October 5, 2026 of natural causes. He was 75. He was the life of the party, and never met someone he couldn’t talk to, or joke with.

Fred was born on November 27, 1950 as the oldest child of George and Beverly Kirkpatrick in Midland Texas. He moved to Ridgecrest with his family in 1959. George was a carpet layer and taught Fred at an early age the importance of hard work by teaching him how to lay carpet and help when needed. Fred graduated from Burroughs High School in 1970. He married his high school sweetheart shortly after graduating and had two daughters, Angelina Dawn and Amy Darlin’. After 24 years of marriage the couple divorced. He married Darcy in November of 2006.

While in high school Fred worked at a bakery and was an ice cream truck driver. During summers he worked on a blasting crew and moved houses with his uncles in Texas. Fred joined the Navy and worked as an airplane mechanic. After the Navy he worked briefly at Camarco. He then got a job with a contractor on base as a ground support mechanic. He worked there for more than 30 years. While on that job he was an instructor for equipment usage on the tarmac. He also taught first aid and CPR. He retired in 2014.

Fred had many hobbies. He loved to sing and sang well. He enjoyed fishing, woodwork, sewing as well as many other activities. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Ridgecrest.

Fred was survived by his wife, Darcy, his children; Angie (Jose) Gonzalez, Amy (Roger) Cox, Sarah Burns, JuliAna Burns, Brittany (Irvin) Tellez, Kiersten (Josh) Longoria and Dustin (Jessica) Burns, his brother Tim (Cherie) Kirkpatrick, his sister Melinda Eash, 22 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Beverly Kirkpatrick, his brother Andrew Kirkpatrick, and his sister Penny Kirkpatrick.

Services will be held October 31, 2026 at 11:00 am at Holland and Lyons Mortuary Chapel at 216 S Norma St. in Ridgecrest, followed by a graveside service at Desert Memorial Park. Chuck Hobson will officiate. There will be a reception held at the Elks Lodge, 201 E Church, following the graveside service. Viewing will be held at 10:00 am on October 31, 2026.