Mr. Walter David "Dee" Kilpatrick, age 88 of Franklin, TN, passed away May 21, 2008. He was the first General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry from 1956-1959; One of the founders of the CMA and served on the first Board of Directors in 1958.
During his years in the music business, he was A & R Director and in sales with Capitol, Mercury and Warner Brothers Records, and also with Acuff Rose Publications and Hickory Records for a number of years. After being involved in the music industry, he started several businesses, including Dee's Cloth Barn, Decorator's Work Room and The Drapery House.
He was a proud owner of many successful Tennessee Walking Horses; member of Forest Hills Baptist Church; served in the U.S. Marine Corp.; member of the Scottish Rite 33rd Degree Mason Morningside Lodge in Atlanta, GA. Preceded in death by parents, Walter D. and Mary G. Kilpatrick, and eight brothers and sisters. Survived by wife, Mary Jane Adams Kilpatrick, Franklin, TN; son, W. David (Cindy) Kilpatrick, Jr., Brentwood, TN; daughter, Judy K. Tucker, Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Darby Tucker, Carter and Cannon Kilpatrick; sister, Ruby K. Brooks, Charlotte, NC; many nieces and nephews.
Services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, May 24, 2008 at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home, Dr. Sam Boyd & Dr. Jerry Winfield officiating. Graveside services will be held 3:30 p.m. Saturday, at Lone Oak Cemetery, Lewisburg, TN. Pallbearers will be Richard Frank, Robert Stampfli, Walter Chism, Bob Cherry, Wayne Wells, Wayne Moon, John Lovelace, Walter Ratterman and Horton Frank. Memorials may be made to Forest Hills Baptist Church Building Fund, 2101 Old Hickory Blvd., Nashville, TN 37215. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to the service at WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, (615) 794-2289.