James "Jimmy" "Jim" Kilpatrick passed away peacefully on August 31, 2026, in Artesia, New Mexico, at the age of 77.

Viewing will be at Terpening & Sons Mortuary on Tuesday, Sept 8, from 2-6

PM. Services will be held Wednesday, Sept 9, at 10:00 AM at the Terpening Chapel, with burial to follow at Woodbine Cemetery. Jason Kraft and Keith Kilpatrick will officiate the services.

Born in Dumas, TX, he lived in Dumas, Gallup, and Pruitt before moving to Artesia at age 7. He grew up in Artesia, graduated from Artesia High School in 1967, and from the College of Artesia in 1971. Jim was a DECA student in high school, working for Chandler's Jewelry. After he finished college, he moved to Ruidoso and worked for T-Bird Lumber. His boss, Tommy Polly, quickly became one of his lifelong friends.

Jim returned to Artesia after a few years, went back to work for Chandler's Jewelry, and then worked in the lab at Navajo Refinery, like his dad before him. Several years later, he was co-owner of Kilpatrick Jewelry until he retired in 2011. He was known as "Diamond Jim" to those he worked with.

Outside of work, Jim loved fishing and went as often as he could. After retirement, he enjoyed visiting the casinos in New Mexico.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James and Edna Frances Kilpatrick; grandparents John and Bessie Kilpatrick and Tom and Elsie Doshier; as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Those left to carry on his memory are his sons Brian Kilpatrick and wife Wendy, of Artesia; Michael Kilpatrick and wife Marissa, of Plano, TX; partner Frank Rodriquez; sister Karen Kilpatrick; and brother Roger Kilpatrick and wife Ramona, all of Artesia. Grandchildren Hailey and Christian Kilpatrick of Plano, TX; nephew Keith Kilpatrick and wife Staci of Leander, TX; niece Courtney Brown and husband Clay of Frederick, CO.

Great-nieces Kamdyn and Berkely Kilpatrick; great-nephews Zack Brown, Liam Smith, and Auden Kilpatrick; Uncle Lee Roy Doshier of Whitharral, TX, and Aunt Joan Kilpatrick of Boaz, AL.