A family of disciples in the San Diego Church of Christ was recently featured in a local magazine. Read their story below!
Wynn Love, 92129 Magazine -- Glen and Debbie Kirkpatrick have spent nearly 25 years building a life in San Diego. They’ve lived on a ranch in Poway and in a condominium in Rancho Bernardo. After raising their three children and helping Glen battle cancer three times, they are happily settled in Park Village, in a home overlooking the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve.Glen worked in law enforcement for 25 years, retiring in 2011. “Glen is a three-time cancer survivor,” explained Debbie, “now living with the ‘late effects’ of the radiation therapy he had in 1987. His chronic illnesses include heart and lung disease, chronic fatigue and chronic kidney disease.”
Glen has not truly retired, however. His experience with three cancer diagnoses, treatments and remissions has inspired him to write. “He has had several of the short stories he’s written published online,” shared Debbie proudly. “He’s currently working on a non-fiction book on overcoming life’s obstacles in faith.” Debbie works as the practice manager at the Peñasquitos Pet Clinic, where she’s worked for nearly 25 years.
Debbie and Glen’s three children, Russell, 28, Trevor, 24 and Terrence, 19, all attended Rancho Bernardo High School (RBHS) and all live locally. Russell works in sales and is married to a fellow SDSU graduate, Carmen, a trauma nurse at Sharp Memorial. Trevor is studying at Mesa College and Terrence, adopted into the family in 2001, graduated from RBHS this spring. Russell and Trevor are both musicians. “For two years in a row both Russell and Trevor have performed live at the ‘Acoustic Café,’ held annually to benefit world missions,” reported Debbie.
Despite having plenty on their own plate, Debbie and Glen have been heavily involved in their community, supporting Pop Warner football and RBHS athletics, leading a physically challenged support group in their home, working with the non-profit organization Hope Worldwide and staying actively involved with the San Diego Church of Christ.
“We met in February 1980 at the Kettle Restaurant in Manhattan Beach, CA,” recounted Glen. They were married one year later on Valentine’s Day, overlooking the ocean off Palos Verdes. Now they spend most every Saturday on the coast. “Debbie and Carmen have fun shopping and getting pedicures together,” described Glen, “and the three boys enjoy passing the football to each other, singing songs and playing music.”
Shared with permission from 92129 Magazine.