Thomas W. Kirkpatrick, 75, of Beaver Falls, died Sunday, September 26, 2010 in Heritage Valley Beaver.

      Born March 27, 1935 in Beaver Falls, he was the son of the late Charles and Edna Mae Carmichael Kirkpatrick. He had retired from the former Babcock & Wilcox Tubular Products Company. Hot Finish Department.

Tom was inducted into the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.  At the tender age of 15, Tom had already had an all-star season behind him as an American Legion Pitcher.  He drew plenty of attention with his left handed flame throwing ability. Pirate manager Pie Traynor and Pirate head of scouting George Sisler would transport Tom from Beaver Falls to Pittsburgh pitch batting practice to the Pirates.  Tom led the Beaver Falls American Legion to its first Legion title and pitched a no-hitter in the state playoffs.  In November of his senior year Tom decided to go professional. He signed with the Detroit Tigers organization, and played baseball from Mexico to Canada over the next five years.  His fastball was quoted by one scout to being equal to that of Bob Feller.  However injuries plagued him in the minors, with a torn rotator cuff basically ending his career in 1957.

            In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers and five sisters.

       He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Artherine Kerns Kirkpatrick, two daughters and a son-in-law, Cindy Kirkpatrick, Enon Valley, Pamela and R. Jeff Butler, Evans City, a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas W.  II and Zoe Ann Kirkpatrick, Enon Valley, seven grandchildren, Brandon Kirkpatrick and his wife Carrie, Kyleigh Gemzala, Ryan Butler and his wife Melissa, Shaun Butler, Brenna Butler, Thomas W. Kirkpatrick III, Megan Kirkpatrick, and three great-grandchildren, Brandon Kirkpatrick, Jenna Kirkpatrick, and Bailey Butler, and a nephew and his wife Bob and Debbie Jones.

                  Friends will be received on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Hill & Kunselman Funeral Home, www.hillandkunselman.com., 3801-4th Ave., College Hill, Beaver Falls, where a service will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with Rev. Lee P. Bittner officiating.

      Entombment will follow in the Beaver Falls Cemetery Mausoleum.