Wesley Orrin Kirkpatrick

Wesley was born November 6, 1942 in Tillamook, Oregon. He unexpectantly died at hospital December 29, 2024 in Olympia, Washington.

Wesley lived in Olympia for 23 years, he was a long-time member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, a long-time member of PSA Photographic Society of America, was recognized as a Honorary Member of the Olympia Camera Club in 2018 and was photographed and played Santa Claus for many Christmas seasons. He loved socializing, meeting people, sharing photography, gardening, cooking, Seahawks, the latest camera gear, events and road trips. And without a doubt in his last chapter, his three everlasting loves were his wife Cornelia of almost 25 years and his two beautiful black English Labrador Retrievers, Riley and Zeus.

Wesley was known for his pleasant, quirky and sunny disposition. In the mid-1990s he made a conscious decision “to loosen his grip on events in his life” and trust life completely to his Savior Lord Jesus. Consequently, he revised his license plate to read “IBHAPPY.” Because he drove all over the island and later Olympia, many people knew distinctively when “Wess” was approaching with his big smile and wave.

During Wesley’s early years his father kept the family moving for his work with Bonneville Power Administration throughout the Pacific Northwest. The family finally settled back on the coast of Oregon the in North Bend/Coos Bay area. Wesley recollected his early endeavors that he had a paper route by bicycle, was a lifeguard during the summers, planted tree seedlings for Weyerhaeuser. But, remembered mostly, he helped his father with family building projects. Wesley provided the “manual” labor. In 1960, when he turned 18, he enthusiastically left home and joined the US Navy!

As a radioman in telecommunications, Wesley loved everything about the Navy and being out at sea. He was aboard ship for the “Bay of Pigs” Invasion, traveled throughout the Pacific ocean, North Atlantic and crossed the equator several times. Among his shore duty assignments, he lived in London, Newport, Corpus Christi and Seattle. For his last duty, he was a Navy recruiter in the South Center area of Seattle and gladly moonlighted at the Kingdome (Seahawks) in facility security. After he retired from the Navy around 1982, he worked for Raytheon, Boeing in facilities, and Island County Central Services, technology. He retired once again around 2001 after he married Cornelia. They moved from Whidbey Island to Olympia to live close to her families.

Wesley is survived by his two sons Jeffrey (Susan) of Oregon, John (Mae) of California and two daughters Elizabeth (Steven) South Dakota, Bronwyn (Brett) Oregon; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents William in 1985 and Jane in 2002.

At Gloria Dei, Wesley volunteered and cherished his memories as a “Shepherd” with the kids during the summer Vacation Bible School. He didn’t have to teach but could do what he did best be a supporter and free spirit. Consider donating in Wesley’s honor to the Gloria Dei “Children’s Ministry.”

Memorial services for Wesley Orrin Kirkpatrick, 82, of Olympia, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1515 Harrison Ave., Olympia 98502. Immediately after the service his ashes will be placed to rest in the beautiful garden Columbarium and please stay for light refreshments and social time in the adjoining Gathering Space.