Retired judge Kilpatrick has died
Former state legislator and chancery judge J. Max Kilpatrick of Philadelphia died on Dec. 10. He was 79.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. at McClain-Hays Funeral Home. Burial followed in Eastlawn Cemetery.
Several colleagues recalled his diverse and successful legal career.
“He was one of those guys that what he did, he did well,” said retired Chancellor Edward Fenwick of Kosciusko who served the Sixth Chancery Court alongside Judge Kilpatrick.
“Max could walk into Circuit Court and try a criminal case. He could walk into Chancery Court and try a divorce case. He was a capable, good lawyer and a good and conscientious judge,” Fenwick added. “Also, he loved politics. He loved to get involved in hometown politics.”
Former Chancellor Joseph Kilgore of Philadelphia said, “Judge Kilpatrick was firm, but he always followed his oath as a judge by doing equal right to the poor and to the rich. He knew the law and was decisive, thorough, and expedient in his rulings.”
“Above all, he was a friend and mentor to me throughout my career. I valued and often sought his advice long after he left the bench, as did many others. He will be greatly missed in our legal community,” Kilgore said.
Johnnie Max Kilpatrick was born on Jan. 24, 1945, the son of Johnnie and Desma Kilpatrick. He graduated from Philadelphia High School in 1963 and earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Mississippi State University.
While pursuing a law degree at the University of Mississippi School of Law, he was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives. He represented Leake and Neshoba counties from 1972 to 1980.
He earned a law degree in 1973 and opened his law practice in Philadelphia. He served as District Attorney for the Eighth Judicial District of Neshoba, Newton, Leake and Scott counties in 1980. He also served as board attorney for the Neshoba County Board of Supervisors for 17 years.
Gov. Haley R. Barbour appointed Kilpatrick in June 2005 to a vacancy on the Sixth Chancery Court. Judge Kilpatrick was elected to a four-year term in Nov. 2006.
He served as an officer of the Conference of Chancery Judges. He laid the groundwork for the creation of juvenile drug intervention courts in the Sixth Chancery before he retired from the chancery bench on June 30, 2010.
The Sixth Chancery District includes Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Kemper, Neshoba and Winston counties. While continuing his private law practice, he served as Kemper County Youth Court Referee. He retired on June 30, 2022.
His family said in an obituary, “His dedication to public service was further exemplified by proudly serving in the Mississippi National Guard, retiring with the rank of Major after 26 years. J. Max embraced life with enthusiasm. He enjoyed practicing law, hunting, attending races at Talladega Superspeedway, traveling, spending time at the beach, and proudly supporting the Ole Miss Rebels. Above all, he treasured the moments spent with his family, building lasting memories together.”
Survivors are his wife, Kathy House Kilpatrick; his children, Kim Kilpatrick Rea (John), Amy Kilpatrick Taylor (Mark), and Jay Max Kilpatrick (Shelly); his stepson, Jarrod Bates; seven grandchildren, Austin Rea (Karington), Mary Grace Rea, Peyton Rea, Ayden Kilpatrick, Emma Taylor, Kathryn Kilpatrick, and Maggie Taylor; one great-grandchild, Maddox Rea; his sister, Linda Kilpatrick Kitchens (Allen); and his sister-in-law, Peggy Kilpatrick.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Gerald Kilpatrick, and their parents, Johnnie and Desma Kilpatrick.