James D. Kirkpatrick

February 28, 1919 - April 12, 2019

James Donald Kirkpatrick WWII veteran James Donald Kirkpatrick, age 100, passed away on April 12, 2019, at the Springfield Masonic Community, Springfield, Ohio, after a long and happy life. He has lived the last three years in the Enon, Springfield area. James was born in Woodlawn, Pennsylvania on February 28, 1919, to the late Harry B. Kirkpatrick and Edith M. (Harper) Kirkpatrick, of Zanesville, Ohio. In addition to his parents James was predeceased by his sister Leona Kirkpatrick at the age of 4 and his wife Doris of 55 years, in 2000. James was raised in Canton, Ohio, graduating from McKinley High School in 1937 and going to work for the Republic Steel Corporation in Canton. On October 2, 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Force. Following graduation from aerial gunnery school and armament training he was assigned a flight crew in Blythe, California. They received a new B-17F in Grand Island, Nebraska, which they named Little Chum. The crew flew to Tunis North Africa and were assigned to the 416th Bomb Squadron with the 99th Bomb Group. Between August 13, 1943 and March 15, 1944, he flew 50 missions. He shot down one ME 109, received the Air Medal and 10 oak leaf clusters. When he returned Stateside he married Doris Kirkbride on April 30, 1944, before being assigned to Alexander Air Force Base, Louisiana. There he served as a gunnery instructor and M.P. until his discharge on June 9, 1945. Following the war he returned to the Republic Steel Corporation retiring on August 30, 1982, after 45 years of service. Over the years James served on Canton’s Auxiliary Police Force, was a certified rifle instructor with the NRA, belonged to the ODD FELLOW’s lodge, was a 32nd Degree Mason with the William McKinley Lodge No. 413, F.& A. M., the Shrine, the Shrine’s Legion of Honor and their Transportation Committee. James was active in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as an assistant scoutmaster and was a member of the Order of the Arrow. James is survived by his daughter Nancy (Robert) Potts, of Enon, Ohio, son Dennis (Nancy) Kirkpatrick, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and daughter Maureen (Dan) Shinton, of Waynesburg, Ohio. He is also survived by grandchildren, Rob (Marla) Potts, Amy Farrell, Shara (Peter) Appenzeller, Brie (Lance) Dolezal, Bryan (Jennifer) Jacobsen, and Michael Shinton as well as 12 great-grandchildren and three nieces and two nephews. There will be a private funeral at the convenience of the family. Adkins Funeral Home, Enon, is assisting James’ family with his final wishes.