Paul “P.D.” Kirkpatrick, 76, of Lafayette, passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023, at Franciscan Health Lafayette. He was born June 10, 1947, in Lafayette to the late Porter Kirkpatrick and Louella (Bell) Gerhardt. Paul graduated from Southwestern High School in 1965 and on April 15, 1965, he married Ferol Burton in Lafayette, and she survives. They had just celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary.
Paul was a well respected businessman. He was one of the original founders of Fairfield Contractors from 1978 until retirement in 2021. He truly cared for his employees and treated them like family.
He was a member of Dayton Masonic Lodge and served on the boards of Salin Bank, Associated Builders and Contractors and The American Suffolk Sheep Association.
One of Paul’s greatest joys was watching his children and grandchildren’s activities. Whether it was on a ball field or at a livestock show. Paul was a 4-H member and supporter and has passed on his passion for livestock to his children and grandchildren. He had held positions as sheep superintendent in Tippecanoe County and breed manager at the Indiana State Fair. He raised and showed many champion breeding sheep in his lifetime. You could always find him in the coliseum or at the end of the aisle in the sheep barn at the county fair.
Surviving along with his wife are his daughters Kimberly K. (Bradley) Giroux of Lafayette, Paula D. (Nathan) Holmes of Clarks Hill, grandchildren Morgan (Michael) Gardner, Emily (Jon) Riesterer, Braden (Logan) Giroux, Clayton Giroux (Kaitlyn Shepherd) all of Lafayette and Cashen and Catherine Holmes of Clarks Hill and great grandchildren Myah Gardner, Myles Gardner, Maren Gardner, Monroe Gardner and Jade Riesterer.
Also surviving are a brother and sister. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his in-laws Wayne and Bette Burton, a sister in-law Karen Burton and a step father Otto Gerhardt.
Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Sunday, July 30, 2023, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Service will be at 10:00 am on Monday, July 31, 2023, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel. Interment will be at Wildcat Cemetery in Lafayette.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Tippecanoe County 4-H Exhibit Association in Paul’s memory. PO Box 4466 Lafayette, IN 47903