The Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, 79, of Columbus, Indiana, and formerly of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Four Seasons Retirement Community. He was born May 1,1945 in Harlingen, Texas, the son of Clifton and Elizabeth (Thomas) Kirkpatrick.
He married Diane Worthington on March 22, 1966, and she preceded him in death on March 19, 2024. Cliff is survived by his daughter, Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Kirkpatrick; son David Kirkpatrick (wife Christine Kirkpatrick); sister, Betty Carrol; grandchildren, Katherine (fiancé, Daniel Salazar-Harper) Brucken, Caroline Brucken, Amara Kirkpatrick, Mary Bagwell, and Victor Bagwell. He is also survived by nephews, Graham (Misty) Carrol, Lee (Lauren) Carrol, David (Margaret Dillon) Carrol, Frank (Sue Ellen) Warren, Willian Warren, and Matthew (Lennox) Warren and many grandnieces and grandnephews. Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, brother in law Butch Carrol, and sisters in law Ruth Warren and Claire Worthington. Cliff was a beloved husband, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, global partner, and friend.
Cliff shared his desire to seek peace, justice, and reconciliation with the whole world working tirelessly as an ecumenical leader starting at the Dallas Council of Churches, moving to the Fort Worth Council of Churches, to Houston Metropolitan Ministries, to the Director of Worldwide Ministries of the Presbyterian Church (USA), to Stated Clerk of the PCUSA, and to professor of World Christianity and Ecumenical Studies at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He served as the president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and on the executive committee of the World Council of Churches. He leaves a legacy of compassion and justice for the world, faithfulness, being a good steward of one’s resources, curiosity and wonder found in traveling and standing with you in times of joy and trouble. Cliff’s smile, humor, faith, and dedication to both his family and the church family are his lasting gifts to us all.
A memorial service to celebrate Cliff’s life will be held March 29, 2025 at 1:30pm at Strathmoor Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky with a reception to follow. Inurnment will be at the YMCA of the Rockies Columbarium at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution in memory of Cliff Kirkpatrick can be made to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance – International Disasters and Emergencies Fund in honor of his commitment to help those in need around the world. Donations to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) can be made online at www.pcusa.org/PDA or Presbyterian Disaster Assistance PO Box 643700 Pittsburg, PA 15264-3700 In all cases, please use the code DR999999 in memory of Cliff Kirkpatrick. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home and you are invited to send condolences and share a memory of Cliff with the family via the funeral home website: www.jewellrittman.com.