Mrs. Esther Louise (Bailey) Kilpatrick died on March 27, 2015, at her long-time residence, Presbyterian Village North, in Dallas, Texas. She was 94. Esther was born on August 7, 1920 in Keosaqua, Iowa, to her parents, David Earl Bailey and Frances Baird Bailey. After attending Iowa Wesleyan College and graduating from the Burlington, Iowa Nursing College, Esther worked as a nurse. In 1943 she married Warren Kilpatrick, then serving as a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy. After the end of the Second World War the Kilpatricks moved to Ames, Iowa, and in 1950 to Mediapolis, Iowa, where Warren established a veterinary practice. In 1968 the Kilpatricks moved to College Station, Texas, where Esther worked as a public health nurse while Dr. Kilpatrick served as a distinguished professor of veterinary medicine at Texas A&M University. Since her husband died in 1981, Esther played a key role in establishing the Warren Kilpatrick Award, an award provided to an outstanding student in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. Remaining active in the College Station community after her husband’s death, Esther was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Bryan. She held the position of nurse at the Presbyterian Church’s Mo Ranch as well as on board the Texas A&M Maritime Academy’s training ship, an adventure that included a training cruise to Portugal. In 1992, Esther moved to Dallas, where she became a vigorous leader in the Highland Park Presbyterian Church. There she led Bible studies and participated actively in prayer and social circles. Esther’s remaining time was dedicated to her large extended family and circle of friends. Above all she was a devoted wife and mother–the caring center of a large group of Baileys and Kilpatricks who found her an unfailing source of warmth, wisdom, and inspiration. Esther is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. James Kilpatrick and Dr. Sharon Drolet; her son, Robert Kilpatrick; her daughter, Mary Kilpatrick, who was her mother’s kind and watchful caregiver in recent years; her son, John Kilpatrick; her sister Edith and brothers Fred and Dick; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and numerous family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Warren; her sisters Ruth and Edna and brothers Lee and Clyde; and her daughter, Linda. A memorial service will take place at 2:00 pm on April 18, 2015 in the Joyce Hall Library at Presbyterian Village North, 8600 Skyline Drive in Dallas to celebrate Esther’s life. Due to construction, the entrance to Joyce Hall is off Stults Road. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Presbyterian Village Foundation (Caring Fund), 8600 Skyline Drive, Dallas Texas 75243
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