After returning from the war, Oscar started dating Betty Hayden (from Delphi) and they were married July 13, 1946 in Crown Point, IN. He worked at Globe Valve for a while and then went to work at Ross Gear in Lafayette where he retired from. They had 4 children--Sandra Kirkpatrick Cripe (DHS 1965), Marcia Kirkpatrick Pitty (DCSC 1967) Charles (deceased) and Mike Kirkpatrick (DCHS 1973). These marriages produced 8 grandchildren that he was very proud of. His entire life was spent living in Delphi. He was very involved in the Delphi American Legion where he was honored to serve as Commander and help with military funerals. Oscar was an avid Cubs, Bears, Purdue and Delphi fan. No matter what their record was he was right there backing them. His family was the center of his life.
Oscar passed away December 26, 1994.

Oscar B. "Big O" Kirkpatrick, 73, of Delphi, died at 6:40 a.m. Dec. 26, 1994, in Home Hospital, Lafayette.  He had been hospitalized since Nov. 30.
  Born June 25, 1921, in Delphi, he was the son of Monroe and Margaret Lewis Kirkpatrick.  He graduated from Delphi High School in 1939.  His marriage was on July 13, 1946, in Crown Point to Betty Hayden, and she survives.
  Kirkpatrick had worked at Globe Valve Corp. in Delphi.  He worked at Ross Gear Division of TRW in Lafayette for 30 years, retiring in 1981.
  He attended Pittsburg Church of the Brethren, and was a 49-year member of Delphi American Legion Post 75, where he was post commander in 1961 and 1962.  He was awarded the post's C.C. Crampton Award in 1960.
  He was a 36-year member of the 40&8 Voiture 364 in Lafayette, a member of Moose Lodge 1529 in Lafayette, the Loomers Club of the Moose Lodge, and Ross Gear Retirees Club.
  An Army veteran of World War II, he served in the European theater at the battles of Normandy and Rhineland and was awarded the Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars.
  Kirpatrick was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.
  He was diagnosed with diabetes in 1970.  Since 1988, he had at least 21 surgeries.
  Also surviving are two daughters, Sandra Cripe of Rt. 4, Delphi and Marcia Pitty of Rt. 1, Delphi; a son, Michael L. "Otto" Kirkpatrick of West Lafayette; five sisters, Merle Odell of Chalmers, Frances Berry of Fowler, Mary Ruth Cullum and Elizabeth Davis of Lafayette, and Norma Wilkinson of Crawfordsville; three brothers, Lewis Kirkpatrick of Monticello and Jack and Paul Kirkpatrick, both of Lafayette; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson.  An infant son and a brother preceded him in death.
  Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Pittsburg Church of the Brethren with Pastor Terry Vaught officiating.  Burial with American Legion rites will be in the IOOF Memorial Gardesn.,  Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. today at Horn Funeral Home, Delphi, or one hour prior to services at the church.
  Memorials contributions may be made to the Oscar Kirkpatrick Memorial Fund, c/o Delphi Community High School, or to the Pittsburg Church of the Brethren Memorial Fund.
 
Obituary notice taken from the Carroll County Comet, Wednesday, December 28, 1994