| Collections of Political Materials |
| Baylor University |
| P.O. Box 97153 |
| Waco, Texas 76798-7153 |
| USA |
| Phone: 254/710-3540 |
| Fax: 254/710-3059 |
| Email: bcpm_library@baylor.edu |
| Processed by: | James Benjamin Rogers and several student workers | ||||||||||||||||||
| Date completed: | April 2000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Encoded by: | James Benjamin Rogers | ||||||||||||||||||
©June 2000 Baylor University. All rights reserved.
In August 1999, Clint Lynch of the Texas State Cemetery contacted
Kent Keeth, Director of Baylor Collections of Political Materials concerning
the papers of Ray Kirkpatrick. The papers had been deposited in the Archives of
the State Cemetery, but there are no facilities there for their long-term care.
Kent Keeth contacted the Collections Manager of the BCPM, and together they
determined that the BCPM would accept the transfer of the papers because
1.
The collection is relatively small, and
2. Kirkpatricks' association with
Bob Bullock in Texas state government for over forty years.
Clint Lynch served as in intermediary with Ray Kirkpatrick's sister, Betty Kirkpatrick Syptak, in Bay City, Texas, concerning the transfer of the papers from the State Cemetery Archives to the BCPM. When all the arrangement had been made, Kent Keeth and Ben Rogers traveled to Austin in January 2000, to convey the papers to Waco. Mrs. Syptak also make a gift to the BCPM to assist with the costs of processing, preserving, and storage of the Ray Kirkpatrick Papers.
The copyright interests in the Ray Kirkpatrick papers have been tranferred to Baylor University. For further information, see the section on copyright in the Regulations for Use of Materials for the Baylor Collections of Political Materials.
| Date | Event |
| July 9, 1922 | Born, Trenton, Fannin County Texas. Parents Homer E and Mamie Swearingen Kirkpatrick |
| 1940 | Graduated, Trenton High School. Member Future Farmers of America and editor of school paper. |
| 1942-1945 | U. S. Army, World War II. Sered in Italy, France, and North Africa |
| 1947-1952 | Texas House of Representatives. Youngest man in state history to chair Appropriations Committee |
| 1958 | Graduate Baylor School of Law |
| 1958-1963 | Private law practice |
| 1963-1985 | State Board of Insurance. Appointed Chairman for four years in 1972. |
| November 3, 1998 | Died in Round Rock. Interred in State Cemetery in Austin. He was survived by his sister, Betty Kirkpatrick Syptak (deceased Spring 2000), two neices, and three great-nephews. |
The Kirkpatrick Papers comprise about ten linear feet of framed awards, certificates, photographs, unframed certificates and photographs, subject files, loose news clippings, two standard news clipping scrapbooks, and one extremely large scrapbook.
Most of the materials are from the mid 1940s to the early 1950s when Kirkpatrick was a member of the Texas House of Representatives. There are a few items from his World War II Army service, 1943-1945, and some items from his years on the State Insurance Board, c. 1972-1985.
Kirkpatrick was from the same area around Bonham as Sam Rayburn, so his papers contain an autographed photograph of Rayburn as well as articles about him.
The subject files are mostly personal in nature dealing with Kirkpatrick's involvement in the Acacia Fraternity, Baylor Alumni Association, the Coin Club, the State Board of Insurance, the National Guard, the Texas Civil War Centennial Commission, and the Texas Legislature.
I. Certificates
A. Certificates, Framed, 8 x10
Seven frame certificates arranged in chronological order from 1947 to 1985 document Kirpatrick's involvement with the Aracia and Rho Gamma Sigma fraternities, the State Board of Insurance, the Governor's office, and the Texas Civil War Centennial Commission. Chronological order| Item | Description | Size | Date | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Certificate of Membership to Aracia Fraternity | (24.5cm x 31cm) | 12-14-1947 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Certificate of commission of Major General on the Governors Staff | (22.5cm x 27.5cm) | 02-27-1950 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Certificate of Honorary Admiral in the Texas Navy | (24cm x 30cm) | 04-28-1958 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Certificate of Membership to Rho Gamma Sigma Fraternity | (23cm x 24cm) | 12-15-1958 | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Certificate of Commission to Executive Secretary to the Governor | (24.5cm x 29.5cm) | 04-30-1959 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Certificate of Commission to Texas Civil War Centennial Commission | (23.5cm x 29) | 05-29-1961 | ||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Certificate of Service State Board of Insurance, 22 years | (22.5 cm x 29cm) | (1985) | ||||||||||||||||
B. Certificates, Framed, larger than 8 x10
Nine large framed certificates filed in chronological order document Kirkpatrick's interest from 1949-1990 in the National Guard, Texas House, State Board of Insurance, and Baylor Alumni Association. Chronological order| Item | Description | Size | Date | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Certificate of Promotion to Second Lieutenant, Infantry | (27.5cm x 33cm) | 08-30-1949 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | The State of Texas House of Representatives | (35cm x 45cm) | 11-01-1951 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Certificate of Interstate Commerce Commission | (29cm x 32.5cm) | 07-08-1952 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Certificate of Membership to the State Board of Insurance | (25cm x 38cm) | 10-25-1972 | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Certificate of Commission to Chairman, State Board of Insurance | (25cm x 38cm) | 10-25-1972 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Certificate of Commission to Colonel in the Texas Army | (26cm x 39.5cm) | 01-08-1973 | ||||||||||||||||
| 7 | The State of Texas Certificate "Permit to Drive" | (35.5cm x 41.5cm) | 01-09-1973 | ||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Certificate of Honor from the Texas House of Representatives | (37.5cm x 40cm) | 05-18-1981 | ||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Certificate from the Baylor Alumni Association | (30.5cm x37cm) | (1990) | ||||||||||||||||
C. Certicates: Unframed
Six unframed certificates from 1959 to 1984 reflect Kirkpatrick's participation in the Masons and the Texas Legislature. Other certificates are just for fun appointing Kirkpatrick Admiral of the Texas Navy, Texas Roving Ambassador of Goodwill and Commodore of the Brazos. Chronological order| Item | Description | Size | Date | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Admiral of the Texas Navy, Certificate of Commission | (22cm x 28cm) | 04-30-1959 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Texas Roving Ambassador of Goodwill | (22cm x 36cm) | 08-20-1963 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Commodore of the Brazos | (23cm x 30cm) | 1969 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Texas Legislative Certificate | (22 cm x 36cm) | 08-08-1977 | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Masons, Scottish Rite Mason for 25 years | (22 cm x (28cm) | 05-30-1978 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Knights of the Valiant and Magnanimous Order of the
Temple, Certificate for Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Texas | (22cm x 28cm) | 03-22-1984 | ||||||||||||||||
II. Subject Files
The subject files are mostly personal in nature dealing with Kirkpatrick's involvement in the Acacia Fraternity, Baylor Alumni Association, the Coin Club, the State Board of Insurance, the National Guard, the Texas Civil War Centennial Commission, and the Texas Legislature. Also included are several membership cards, postcards to his parents in 1946, and his military discharge papers from both the U. S. Army and the Texas National Guard.Arranged alphabetically| File | Description | Date | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Acacia Fraternity | 1955 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Baylor | 1950s | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Baylor Correspondence | 1950s | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Campaign Speech, handwritten | (1946) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Coin Club | 1963 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Correspondence | 1947-1952 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Correspondence | 1960 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Invitations and Receptions | 1947 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Legislative Budget Board | 1969, 1989 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Membership Cards | 1945-1980 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Military Discharge papers, U. S. Army | 1945 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Military Papers, National Guard | 1949-1950 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Postcards to parents | 1946 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Retirement | 1985 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | State Board of Insurance | 1972 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 16 | Texas Civil War Centennial Commission | 1961 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | Texas Legislative correspondence | 1950-1951 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 18 | Texas Legislature | 1947, 1950 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 19 | Texas Legislature: resolution re death of father | 1955 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 20 | University of Texas transcripts | 1948-1951 | |||||||||||||||||||||
III. News Clippings
A. Scrapbooks, 1946-1950
Two large scrapbooks contain clippings about the Texas Legislature from 1946-1950 when Kirkpatrick represented the 4th District. A third scrapbook is super-size almost three-feet square with a printed cover. Some news clippings are (or were) glued in, but most of the clippings are just stuck inside folded.| File | Description | Date | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Large scrapbook with loose clippings from the late 1940's | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Large scrapbook with some glued and some loose clippings | 1946-1950 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Oversize scrapbook with engraved front. Some clippings glued in but most of glue has dried. Numerous clippings never glued. | 1946-1950 | |||||||||||||||||||||
B. Legal size expanding wallet with flap, 1946-1950
Election Politics. Two legal size expanding wallets with flap full of news clippings from the late 1940s
IV. Photographs
A. Photographs: Unframed, 8x10 or smaller
Twenty-one photographs, mostly from 1946 to 1950 document Kirkpatricks involvement in State government. The earliest photos, however, are from Kirkpatrick's military service in 1943-1944. The latest photo if of Kirkpatrick's Trenton High School reunion, Class of 1939-1940, in 1997.Chronological Order| File | Description | Date | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Battery B, 56 Field Artillery Battalion, 4th Platoon.
Kirkpatrick is 2nd row, 5th from right | PHOTO |
(1943) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Ray Kirkpatrick, young soldier | PHOTO | (1944) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Ray Kirkpatrick, wallet size | PHOTO | 1945 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Photos, Individual (4) | PHOTO 1 | PHOTO 2 | 1946-1950 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Jerry Saddler with Ray Kirkpatrick | (1948) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Jack Brooks with Ray Kirkpatrick | (1948) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Group of men probably taken in Austin includes Jerry Stewart, Jack Brook, Bill Stemp and Others | (1948) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Kirkpatrick | 1950 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Group standing in front of State Capitol includes:
Phil Willis, Shaffure Mayhn, Bill Jameson, Leslie Laiy, Pep Blout, George Nobles, Bill More, Sidney McClair, Bill Richards, Jim Sparks, Bill Ahington, Jimie Horary. Lester Slechlford | (1950) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Group of men standing at tail end of Braniff B-Liner | (1950) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Ray Kirkpatrick, Bill Jameson, Moore (from Houston), George Nokes | (1950) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Group Picture includes Bill Presrach, Cap Williamson,
____ Latimore, Joyce Manford, Virginia Micman, ____ Jameson, Sam Hussad?, Fred Nieman? , Ed Hughes | (1950) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Group picture, same people as above photo includes Bill Stump | (1950) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Joe Flanny , Wayne Wagonseller, and Ray Kirkpatrick | PHOTO | (1950) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | Banquet includes O. E. Latimore, Gue Williams, Cap Williamson, Fred Nieman and wife, Marchall Bell, Jack Ridgeway, and Bill Jameson | (1950) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16 | Ray and Joyce Manford with military officer and Kirkpatrick (2) | (1950) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | Waggener Carr with Ray Kirkpatrick | (1970) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18 | Eugene Smith, Ray Kirkpatrick and Waggener Carr | (1970) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19 | Appointment to State Board of Insurance, swearing in | PHOTO | 1972 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20 | State Board Insurance Staff Services | PHOTO | PHOTO | 1985 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21 | High school reunion, Class of 1939-1940. Trenton, Fannin Co. | PHOTO | 1997 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Photographs: Unframed, larger than 8 x 10
Of these six photographs, one is a formal portrait of Kirkpatrick in the military in 1944. Another is a formal portrait of Kirkpatrick around 1950. The remaining four are each of Kirdkpatrick with Texas Speaker of the House Gib Lewis in 1985, 1987, 1989, and 1991.| File | Description | Size | Date | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Ray Kirkpatrick, Military Picture | PHOTO | (28cm x 37cm) | (1944) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Ray Kirkpatrick | (27cm x 35cm) | (1950) | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Ray Kirkpatrick and Gib Lewis, Autographed | PHOTO | (28cm x 36cm) | 1985 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Ray Kirkpatrick and Gib Lewis, Autographed | (28cm x 36cm) | 1987 | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Ray Kirkpatrick and Gib Lewis, Autographed | (28cm x 36cm) | 1989 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Ray Kirkpatrick and Gib Lewis | (28cm x 36cm) | 1991 | ||||||||||||||||
C. Photographs: Framed, Oversize
Five of these seven photographs of of Kirkpatrick with various colleagues from 1950 to 1972. The most notable photographs, however, is a signed photograph to Kirkpatrick from Sam Rayburn who was from the same part of Texas. The last photograph is of the State Board of Insurance in 1979. Chronological Arrangement.| File | Description | Size | Date | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Picture of
T.C Chadwick,
Gus Strauss,
John Crosthwaite, Kirkpatrick, John Belle, and unidentified man | (24cm x 29cm) | (1950) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Autographed picture of Sam Rayburn | (25cm x 30.5cm) | (1950) | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Picture of Kirkpatrick in American Legion Hat | (21.5cm x 26cm) | (1953) | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Autographed Photograph of Kirkpatrick and Senator George Parkhouse | (22cm x 26.5cm) | 04-30-1959 | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Photograph of Kirkpatrick and Searcy Bracewell | (21.5cm x 26cm) | (1960) | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Autographed picture of Smith and Kirkpatrick | (21cm x 26.5cm) | 10-25-1972 | ||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Photograph of the State Board of Insurance in 1979 | (23cm x 28.5cm) | 10-1979 | ||||||||||||||||