Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick
May 1, 1945 ~ January 18, 2025
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.
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Great memories
I have very few words, but Cliff Kirkpatrick was VERY influential of my understanding of Presbyterian polity… and so, so kind. He will be missed.
Cliff Kirkpatrick was one of my most favorite Presbyterians. He served as Stated Clerk the same year I served as GA Moderator. He was a wonderful colleague and mentor as we faced controversial issues and shared global travel. He was highly respected ecumenically and internationally with so many global connections and friendships. When I was severely criticized by African Presbyterians for my position advocating for the ordination of gays and lesbians, he supported me while also respecting our global partners. When our paths crossed, he always smiled and asked how I was doing. So many gifts of the Spirit in this man, but joy is what I remember most. Thanks be to God for the difference he made!
Cliff was a fine Christian–replete with all the virtues, including mercy (which seems today contested and in short supply). He was always ready to help with international students and domestic ones at Louisville Seminary when I was there and then at Union Presbyterian Seminary– where Syngman and Haesun came after working with him. Never seemed frenetic, even in tragedy, when he gathered staff at the Center and some of us from the seminary to pray. What a witness he remained. God bless Cliff’s family.
The leaders and members of Korean Presbyterian churches in the PC(USA) are greatly indebted to Rev. Kirkpatrick for his great leadership and support for the development and growth of Korean ethnic congregations and leadership for so many years while he was serving so diligently in the denomination. We pray for his bereaved family for heavenly peace and comfort. Yubang Lee of NCKPC
Great memories!
It is with heartfelt sympathy that I learned today of Cliff Kirkpatrick’s death. It have such profound memories of working with Cliff as we shared our ecumenical mission responsibilities for several decades. This included traveling together visiting partnership churches in Portugal, East Germany, Poland, Cuba and South Korea. I pray that the shared memories of former colleagues and friends will be a source of support to Cliff’s family as they grieve the death of their loved one. The Rev. J. Oscar McCloud, former mission executive of the United Presbyterian Church USA and the Presbyterian Church (USA).
I remember meeting Cliff and Diane when I first began working at the Presbyterian Center before it opened. One of the first things we connected over was that we were Texans! I was recently telling someone about this tall giant of faith and peace just last week. Well done good and faithful servant, rest in peace.
Cliff and I were in the same Bible study group at WARC, in Ghana in 2004. People in our group always wanted him to speak. A reveared soul. So glad to have known him. Rebecca Tollefson
What an interesting and varied life Cliff lived! I hope that all these fond memories bring you peace as you grieve his loss.
What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man. He had so many stories to tell. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us at Fairlawn, Cliff.
My condolences to the family,Cliff was a pleasure to know and he’ll surely be missed…
Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick.
Elizabeth, I’m so sorrry to hear about your dad.I thought of him when I read the news about PCUSA’s Mission future. Hope you and your family are well. Thinking of you, Suzan Ireland
I knew Clift (as we called him then) well at East High School in Memphis. We were on the Safety Patrol together and Clift was a wonderful person who taught me everything about traffic safety. I know he led an amazing life and helped as many others as he helped me. I always remembered him for his dedication and integrity.
I worked for him when he was director of Houston Metropolitan Ministries. He was the most inspiring, honorable, truly caring person I’ve ever known.
Judith Taylor (Broadhurst then), Port Angeles, WA