Four years after his daughter's death following an inspirational battle with cancer, David B. Kirkpatrick died Monday, March 16, 2009, after his own fight with cancer.
The former Lapeer West High School varsity boys basketball coach was 56.
Family was No. 1 for Kirkpatrick, said his former assistant coach and current Lapeer West varsity boys basketball coach Andy Roberts.
"The most important thing for him was his family, spending time with his girls and his wife," Roberts said. "His face would light up when you asked him a question or made mention of them."
Kirkpatrick, however, twice endured the worst experience for any parent.
After the death of his infant son, Nathan, in 1982, Kirkpatrick lost daughter Katie Kirkpatrick Godwin to cancer at age 21 (please see Find A Grave memorial number 10363531).
Katie, the 2001 valedictorian and homecoming queen at Lapeer East High School, was diagnosed in 2002 with a cancerous brain tumor. Despite surgery, the cancer spread to her lungs. Katie died in 2005, just five days after her wedding to Nick Godwin.
Katie's battle drew widespread attention as she shared her story to help others and demonstrate her faith in God.
Her father shared that strong faith, according to his obituary.
He had dedicated himself to church service and most recently was a member of the Lapeer Church of Christ.
His own battle with brain cancer lasted years.
Kirkpatrick joined the Lapeer School District as a teacher in 1974 and spent the last part of his nearly 32-year career as a guidance counselor at White Junior High School and Lapeer West.
He coached boys basketball at Lapeer West from 2000-01 to 2003-04, compiling a 43-41 record.
His 2001 team shared the Metro League championship with Holly in 2001.
Roberts said Kirkpatrick -- known by his nickname "KP" -- was a perfect role model for students.
"Every student looked up to him," said Roberts.
"When you got to school, there would be a line of 25 kids waiting to pop their heads into his office just to say hi."
Former player Adam Brennan, a member of the 2001 championship team, called Kirkpatrick one of the nicest guys he had ever met -- "let alone played for."
"He taught me so much, not only basketball but life itself," said Brennan. "You'll never meet a nicer guy. He cared about everybody."
Brennan's teammate, Doug Kress, echoed that sentiment. "It was a priceless experience to play for him, not only because of the relationships he had with the players, but because of the passion and love he had for the game of basketball," said Kress.
Kirkpatrick leaves his wife, Niki, and daughter Sara Nelms of Metamora.
Funeral services are Saturday at 11 a.m. at Bristol Road Church of Christ, 1315 W. Bristol Road in Flint Township.
Memorial contributions are being made to Katie's Wings, P.O. Box 458, Metamora, 48455.
The former Lapeer West High School varsity boys basketball coach was 56.
Family was No. 1 for Kirkpatrick, said his former assistant coach and current Lapeer West varsity boys basketball coach Andy Roberts.
"The most important thing for him was his family, spending time with his girls and his wife," Roberts said. "His face would light up when you asked him a question or made mention of them."
Kirkpatrick, however, twice endured the worst experience for any parent.
After the death of his infant son, Nathan, in 1982, Kirkpatrick lost daughter Katie Kirkpatrick Godwin to cancer at age 21 (please see Find A Grave memorial number 10363531).
Katie, the 2001 valedictorian and homecoming queen at Lapeer East High School, was diagnosed in 2002 with a cancerous brain tumor. Despite surgery, the cancer spread to her lungs. Katie died in 2005, just five days after her wedding to Nick Godwin.
Katie's battle drew widespread attention as she shared her story to help others and demonstrate her faith in God.
Her father shared that strong faith, according to his obituary.
He had dedicated himself to church service and most recently was a member of the Lapeer Church of Christ.
His own battle with brain cancer lasted years.
Kirkpatrick joined the Lapeer School District as a teacher in 1974 and spent the last part of his nearly 32-year career as a guidance counselor at White Junior High School and Lapeer West.
He coached boys basketball at Lapeer West from 2000-01 to 2003-04, compiling a 43-41 record.
His 2001 team shared the Metro League championship with Holly in 2001.
Roberts said Kirkpatrick -- known by his nickname "KP" -- was a perfect role model for students.
"Every student looked up to him," said Roberts.
"When you got to school, there would be a line of 25 kids waiting to pop their heads into his office just to say hi."
Former player Adam Brennan, a member of the 2001 championship team, called Kirkpatrick one of the nicest guys he had ever met -- "let alone played for."
"He taught me so much, not only basketball but life itself," said Brennan. "You'll never meet a nicer guy. He cared about everybody."
Brennan's teammate, Doug Kress, echoed that sentiment. "It was a priceless experience to play for him, not only because of the relationships he had with the players, but because of the passion and love he had for the game of basketball," said Kress.
Kirkpatrick leaves his wife, Niki, and daughter Sara Nelms of Metamora.
Funeral services are Saturday at 11 a.m. at Bristol Road Church of Christ, 1315 W. Bristol Road in Flint Township.
Memorial contributions are being made to Katie's Wings, P.O. Box 458, Metamora, 48455.
Four years after his daughter's death following an inspirational battle with cancer, David B. Kirkpatrick died Monday, March 16, 2009, after his own fight with cancer.
The former Lapeer West High School varsity boys basketball coach was 56.
Family was No. 1 for Kirkpatrick, said his former assistant coach and current Lapeer West varsity boys basketball coach Andy Roberts.
"The most important thing for him was his family, spending time with his girls and his wife," Roberts said. "His face would light up when you asked him a question or made mention of them."
Kirkpatrick, however, twice endured the worst experience for any parent.
After the death of his infant son, Nathan, in 1982, Kirkpatrick lost daughter Katie Kirkpatrick Godwin to cancer at age 21 (please see Find A Grave memorial number 10363531).
Katie, the 2001 valedictorian and homecoming queen at Lapeer East High School, was diagnosed in 2002 with a cancerous brain tumor. Despite surgery, the cancer spread to her lungs. Katie died in 2005, just five days after her wedding to Nick Godwin.
Katie's battle drew widespread attention as she shared her story to help others and demonstrate her faith in God.
Her father shared that strong faith, according to his obituary.
He had dedicated himself to church service and most recently was a member of the Lapeer Church of Christ.
His own battle with brain cancer lasted years.
Kirkpatrick joined the Lapeer School District as a teacher in 1974 and spent the last part of his nearly 32-year career as a guidance counselor at White Junior High School and Lapeer West.
He coached boys basketball at Lapeer West from 2000-01 to 2003-04, compiling a 43-41 record.
His 2001 team shared the Metro League championship with Holly in 2001.
Roberts said Kirkpatrick -- known by his nickname "KP" -- was a perfect role model for students.
"Every student looked up to him," said Roberts.
"When you got to school, there would be a line of 25 kids waiting to pop their heads into his office just to say hi."
Former player Adam Brennan, a member of the 2001 championship team, called Kirkpatrick one of the nicest guys he had ever met -- "let alone played for."
"He taught me so much, not only basketball but life itself," said Brennan. "You'll never meet a nicer guy. He cared about everybody."
Brennan's teammate, Doug Kress, echoed that sentiment. "It was a priceless experience to play for him, not only because of the relationships he had with the players, but because of the passion and love he had for the game of basketball," said Kress.
Kirkpatrick leaves his wife, Niki, and daughter Sara Nelms of Metamora.
Funeral services are Saturday at 11 a.m. at Bristol Road Church of Christ, 1315 W. Bristol Road in Flint Township.
Memorial contributions are being made to Katie's Wings, P.O. Box 458, Metamora, 48455.
The former Lapeer West High School varsity boys basketball coach was 56.
Family was No. 1 for Kirkpatrick, said his former assistant coach and current Lapeer West varsity boys basketball coach Andy Roberts.
"The most important thing for him was his family, spending time with his girls and his wife," Roberts said. "His face would light up when you asked him a question or made mention of them."
Kirkpatrick, however, twice endured the worst experience for any parent.
After the death of his infant son, Nathan, in 1982, Kirkpatrick lost daughter Katie Kirkpatrick Godwin to cancer at age 21 (please see Find A Grave memorial number 10363531).
Katie, the 2001 valedictorian and homecoming queen at Lapeer East High School, was diagnosed in 2002 with a cancerous brain tumor. Despite surgery, the cancer spread to her lungs. Katie died in 2005, just five days after her wedding to Nick Godwin.
Katie's battle drew widespread attention as she shared her story to help others and demonstrate her faith in God.
Her father shared that strong faith, according to his obituary.
He had dedicated himself to church service and most recently was a member of the Lapeer Church of Christ.
His own battle with brain cancer lasted years.
Kirkpatrick joined the Lapeer School District as a teacher in 1974 and spent the last part of his nearly 32-year career as a guidance counselor at White Junior High School and Lapeer West.
He coached boys basketball at Lapeer West from 2000-01 to 2003-04, compiling a 43-41 record.
His 2001 team shared the Metro League championship with Holly in 2001.
Roberts said Kirkpatrick -- known by his nickname "KP" -- was a perfect role model for students.
"Every student looked up to him," said Roberts.
"When you got to school, there would be a line of 25 kids waiting to pop their heads into his office just to say hi."
Former player Adam Brennan, a member of the 2001 championship team, called Kirkpatrick one of the nicest guys he had ever met -- "let alone played for."
"He taught me so much, not only basketball but life itself," said Brennan. "You'll never meet a nicer guy. He cared about everybody."
Brennan's teammate, Doug Kress, echoed that sentiment. "It was a priceless experience to play for him, not only because of the relationships he had with the players, but because of the passion and love he had for the game of basketball," said Kress.
Kirkpatrick leaves his wife, Niki, and daughter Sara Nelms of Metamora.
Funeral services are Saturday at 11 a.m. at Bristol Road Church of Christ, 1315 W. Bristol Road in Flint Township.
Memorial contributions are being made to Katie's Wings, P.O. Box 458, Metamora, 48455.
Gravesite Details
Special thanks to Renee for sponsoring this memorial.
