Donald Austin KIRKPATRICK

1928 - 2015

KIRKPATRICK, Donald
Austin
Feb. 17, 1928 - Jan. 29, 2015

Donald Austin Kirkpatrick of Austin, Texas passed away in San Marcos, California on January 29 at the age of 86. He was born in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma to Col. Frank S. and Priscilla Austin Kirkpatrick and lived throughout the world as far as Japan and the Philippines, finally settling in Austin. Don was active in drama and an avid singer in glee club graduating from Austin High in 1946. He attended Washington University and pledged Phi Delta Theta, before earning a bachelor's degree in management from the University of Texas. Don served as an Army Lieutenant in World War II, and entertained troops in Europe through the United Service Organization.

He was a successful songwriter with more than 60 years of experience and 500 songs to his credit. In 1947, he copyrighted his first song "I Don't Like Your Attitude" an ode to positivity. As a UT student during break, donned in cowboy boots & hat he traveled to New York City for an impromptu audition for the radio show Songs for Sale, and luckily Don's song "Don't Ring that Doorbell" was chosen and performed by Rosemary Clooney. Don worked for NBC Television and RCA Artists rights administration for Elvis Presley and Paul Anka. Two of Don's original songs were performed by Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, and in 1964 Jimmy Smith recorded Don's music score on the album "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," described in Verve's liner notes as music full of "...fire and endless excitement," perfectly echoing Don and his art. In a review of his production "Time Staggers On," Don stated "the most important thing [in music] is sincerity...to bring people ideas in musical form, to set a mood, to bring a smile or a little bit of pleasure...and helping people."

He was a gregarious man and wrote commercial jingles and songs in blues, country, and pop for studios in New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio, New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nashville and Austin. For Don Kirkpatrick, anything was possible and his eternal optimism came through in songs like, "Say Yes to Success." As CEO of The Creative Circle, he worked for 13 years on a collective of music, mineral, and real estate consulting projects. He wrote throughout his life, and was even recently working to produce 35 of his original children's songs. Always a kid at heart, Don was joyful and spontaneous - he would often break into song, dance, compose tunes or write poems on the spot.

Don was a source of inspiration to everyone he encountered, especially his family. He was predeceased by his parents Col. Frank Kirkpatrick and Priscilla Austin Kirkpatrick, siblings Ed Kirkpatrick II and Elizabeth Kirkpatrick Stice & bother-in-law Ray Stice, nephew Kirk Stice, and Kirk's daughter Heather Stice. Don is survived by his wife Alexandra Stewart of 43 years, niece Karen & Bill Ratliff, Bob Ratliff, Will & Allyson Ratliff, Scarlett and Ashley; niece Robin & Mark Maroney, Kelly Maroney, Katy & Phil Perry, Walker and Charley Kate; niece Kathy & Clif Blanchard, Patrick and Mary; great-niece Bonnie Stice, nephew Loren Kirkpatrick, niece Ellen & Jeff Ault, Jeffery Kyle, Edwin, Tellef and Austin Ault, and cousin Charles Austin and family. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.