Charles Alden Killgore
Charles Alden Killgore, age 85, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2020 and returned to his heavenly home.
A memorial service for Mr. Killgore will be held at 2 Thursday, August 20, 2020, at Grace United Methodist Church, Ruston, Louisiana, with Brother Bob Deich officiating. Internment will follow in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home, Ruston, LA.
Mr. Killgore was born on August 19, 1934 to Millard and Alice Monk Killgore in Lisbon, LA. Charles grew up on the family farm in Lisbon and learned to work at an early age. On June 1, 1954, he married his high school sweetheart, Patti Jean Nicholas (Miss Patti), and they shared 66 years together.
Charles graduated from Lisbon High School and attended Louisiana Tech University where he graduated in 1956 with a degree in Chemical Engineering.
Charles served in the Air Force for three years and ultimately moved back to Ruston and started teaching engineering at LA Tech. He earned his master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and was named Director of the Nuclear Center at LA Tech in 1968. In 1973, Charles was named Associate Dean of the College of Engineering and Director of Research.
His career at Tech was unfortunately cut short by a heart attack on his 40th birthday in 1974.
Charles later formed his own company, Killgore’s Inc., through which he provided Medical Physics consulting services to various government and medical facilities. He also taught physics classes for radiology residents at the LSU Medical Center in Shreveport. His son Chris worked with him in this business, ultimately acquired the business, and has grown the business, which is now known as KLS Physics Group, LLC.
During his early career years, Charles was very active in the Ruston community and ardently supported his three sons. He was a member of the Ruston Jaycees and was once named Outstanding Young Man of the Year. He was a Cub Scout
He was a Cub Scout Pack Leader, Asst. Scout Master, and Little League baseball coach. In 1970, he joined a group of young men that became the founders of Cedar Creek School in Ruston. He loved Cedar Creek dearly and continued to support the school over the last 50 years. He was truly proud of the school and considered Cedar Creek to be one of his greatest legacies.
Charles was a beloved and active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Ruston for over 50 years.
Through the years, he taught Sunday School Classes, led Disciple Bible Studies and was active in the Methodist Men’s group. His kind and loving spirit was obvious to all and he touched the lives of many members, both young and old. He continued to lead men’s bible studies until early 2020. Charles enjoyed working in his home woodworking shop. HIs greatest joy was to have people come over to work on projects, with him providing a helping hand. He loved making pens, letter openers, etc. that he could share with family and friends.
Life was not always easy or kind to Charles. His heart attack and open-heart surgery in 1974 at the age of 40, along with the subsequent death of his middle son Neill in 1975 at the age of 18, were very tough for him. He continued to live with heart-related issues throughout the last 45 years of his life. But, live and love he did.
He will always be remembered for his kind heart, his genuine love for others, his positive outlook, and his ultimate faith in God.
He set an example that most of us fall short of, but his example remains. For that we will always be thankful.
Charles is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patti Nicholas Killgore, two sons, Mike Killgore and wife Norma Fisher Killgore of Baton Rouge, LA, and Chris Killgore and wife Meda King Killgore of Ruston, LA; two sisters Sandra Killgore Meisler of Lisbon, LA and Nellie Killgore Dean, of Lisbon, LA; four grandchildren, Meredith Killgore Chustz and husband Jason, Case Killgore and wife Kenzie, Neill Killgore and wife Melissa, and Cody Killgore; and five great-grandchildren, Alex, Lincoln, Louise, Rowan and Maggie. Mr. Killgore was preceded in death by his father Millard Killgore, mother, Alice Monk Killgore, brothers Louis Killgore, Ellis Killgore, Ray Killgore, and Ralph Killgore; sister Audrey Killgore Johnson; and son Neill Killgore.
Pallbearers will be grandsons Neill Killgore, Cody Killgore, and Case Killgore along with Jay Atkins, Neill Kirkland, and Wes Lynch.
The current COVID conditions make any type of group gatherings difficult and complicated. As much as Charles enjoyed visiting with friends and family, there will not be any separate visitation time at the church or afterward. Safe-distancing practices will be implemented for the memorial service.
The memorial service will also be streamed to the Grace Methodist Facebook page for those with concerns about attending.
In lieu of flowers, contributions would be welcomed to Grace United Church, 3401 N. Trenton St., Ruston, LA 7120; Cedar Creek School, 2400 Cedar Creek Dr., Ruston, LA 71270, or the Neill Killgore Memorial Scholarship Fund at Cedar Creek.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.
