(Died April 19, 2022)
Charles (Pat) Kilpatrick was a proud member of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. He worked to improve the lives of many Alabamians.
The south Alabama native discovered a love for agriculture after learning the ways of the earth from his father. The duo worked diligently on their farm in Covington County as sharecroppers growing cotton and corn. Invested in their work, their passion for making a difference, and providing for their community made the long day’s work worthwhile.
Kilpatrick served nearly five years with the United State Air Force before attending Troy State University. Upon finishing his undergraduate career at Auburn University, he decided to pursue a master’s degree in agricultural education. Shortly after military service and two college diplomas, Kilpatrick found his home with the ACES family.
He knew the Mobile area and citizens like the back of his hand. Along the way he learned from his peers and mentors who crafted him into the agriculture agent he became.
Kilpatrick believed that it is important to “surround yourself with people who make you better.” The mentality allowed him to start the 4-H Beef Calf unit in 1987 after cooperating with the Mobile County Commission. Kilpatrick claims this feat as his proudest accomplishment.
Kilpatrick recognized that Extension was the most effective when the program delivered agricultural information with the greatest impact directly to the people served. Without proper organization of responsibilities and help between counties that effectiveness was diminished.
He was a proud member of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service family and a lifetime member of the Alabama Association of County Agricultural Agents and Specialists. His 28-year career with Extension began in Mobile, Alabama. He retired in 1992.
In recognition of his years of service, the name Charles (Pat) Kilpatrick is inscribed on the dedicatory plaque of the Extension Memorial Chapel.
Chapel Plaque Inscription Number 665
