For 30 years, Coach David “KP” Kirkpatrick was devoted to his students as a teacher, counselor and athletic coach.Coach Kirkpatrick passed away last March after a battle with cancer, but his students have not forgotten the impact he made on their lives.
On Friday, February 12, the students will honor their friend and mentor with “KP Fight Cancer Night.” The varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball teams from Lapeer East and Lapeer West will dedicate their games to him. All proceeds from concession stand sales and a 50/50 drawing on that night will be donated to Katie’s Wings, a charity named after Mr. Kirkpatrick’s late daughter, Katie , that helps cancer patients. A table will be set up during the varsity games to take donations from people who would like to make additional contributions.
“On behalf of my family, thank you to the basketball teams and their coaches for the dedication of the games to KP, and thank you to those organizing the night who have invested so much of their time and energy,” Niki Kirkpatrick, the coach’s wife and a Murphy Elementary School teacher, said. “Whether in the classroom, in the counseling office or on the court, KP put everything he had into what he did. He approached his fight against cancer with the same determination and would have been so humbled by this honor and also so grateful to those supporting the cause.”
During his three decades with Lapeer Community Schools, Coach Kirkpatrick taught biology at Lapeer West and was a counselor at East and West high schools and at White Junior High School. He coached the varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball teams at Lapeer West and lower level soccer at Lapeer East. He coached junior high track at White Junior High School for years and coached youth soccer for the Lapeer Soccer Club.
Anyone unable to attend the February 12 games can still make a contribution by writing a check payable to Katie’s Wings, P.O. Box 458, Metamora, MI, 48455.
Donations can also be mailed: KP Fight Cancer Night, c/o Bill Kinzer or Andy Roberts, Lapeer West High School, 170 Millville Road, Lapeer, MI 48446
