JUDGE BURKE KIRKPATRICK

     Burke Kirkpatrick, b August 29, 1916 in Falls County, Texas-was a son of Horne and India (Burke) Kirkpatrick.

     Burke entered the U.S. Navy in 1942 during World War II, and served in the Philippine and Solomon Islands, and was awarded the American Theater Ribbon, APO Ribbon, and the Philippine Defense Rib- bon with two Battle Stars.

     On November 15, 1946 in Houston, Texas, Burke Kirkpatrick was married to Loretta Van Pelt, b August 29, 1917 - a daughter of Paul H. and Winnie (Higgins) Van Pelt.

     Burke has been a banker, rancher, and is currently completing his second four-year-term of office as Falls County Judge - presiding over the Commissioners Court at a time when the court budget was brought from deficit spending into a stable monetary condition. The new bank at Troy, Texas, which opened in 1986, is among his business interests. Loretta is a talented art- ist and painter of portraits. They are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Marlin, Texas, where Burke is a Deacon, and Loretta participates in the affairs and activities of the Women of the Church. Both, Burke and Loretta, are active in church, civic, and community affairs; and have been active in political circles of the community and county for a number of years. Burke also plays the saxaphone, and is one of the members of the local orchestra formed by Hal Spencer, which is fast gaining a fine reputation.

     Burke and Loretta (Van Pelt) Kirkpatrick had one daughter:

     Abigail Kirkpatrick, b December 8, 1951 - is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Marlin. She resides in Marlin, Texas, and has not married.

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 271 column 1.  
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.