Mr. Leon Edward Kilpatrick, age 86, of Tennille, Georgia, formerly of Dade City, Florida, peacefully died at his home following an extended illness. His body will be interred at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. A celebration of Mr. Kilpatrick’s life will be held at a later date.
Mr. Kilpatrick was born and reared in Birmingham, Alabama, the son of the late Freddie Burrell Kilpatrick and the late Catherine Ross Kilpatrick. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. Following his military service, Mr. Kilpatrick attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical College, where he was trained as an aircraft mechanic. He began a career with Eastern Airlines as a A&P Mechanic, working in both Miami and Tampa until his retirement. In retirement, while living in Dade City, Mr. Kilpatrick worked as a Forman for Vana-Vac in Plant City. He was known by family and friends as “Mr. Fixit” because of his ability to fix nearly anything. He had a green house and loved growing plants, especially peanuts, which he would sell and share. He possessed a glowing personality and loved to make people laugh. Above all, he loved his family and there was no end to his compassion and what he would do for family and others.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Lowe Kilpatrick of Tennille; children, Fred D. Kilpatrick and his wife Julie of Covina, California, Elisa K. Morris and her husband David of Decatur, Georgia, and Rebecca K. Sanders and her husband Joe of Midland, Georgia; grandchildren, Meaghan Kilpatrick, Lindsay Kilpatrick, Anna Morris, Chloe Morris, Joshua Gaddy, Raegan Sanders, and Julian Sanders; and a great granddaughter, Shelby Gaddy.
Donations may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, Tennessee 38148.
May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.