Kirkpatrick Family Gift To Help Build Animal Hospital At OKC Zoo

Deanne Stein, News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma City family dedicated to the well-being of zoo animals donates a major gift to the Oklahoma City Zoological Society.

The joint gift of one million dollars from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund and Kirkpatrick Foundation will go to build at new veterinarian hospital at the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Christian Keesee, grandson of John Kirkpatrick and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Kirkpatrick Foundation and President of Kirkpatrick Family Fund says the gift will also commemorate his mother's memory.

"The care of animals, both domestic and exotic was of great importance to my mom, Joan Kirkpatrick. Today we announce a joint gift from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund and the Kirkpatrick Foundation of 1 million dollars to commemorate her memory," said Chris Keesee. "This gift is an important and appropriate gift in tribute of my mom and for the health and welfare of the animals of the Oklahoma City Zoo and will be used to help build a new veterinary hospital."

The Kirkpatrick family's involvement with the Oklahoma City Zoo dates back more than fifty years. John Kirkpatrick served as a founding member of the Friends of the Zoo, now known as the Oklahoma Zoological Society, and was a driving force behind the zoo's expansion.

OZS was created in 1954 to support and promote the Oklahoma City Zoo and its four purposes of education, conservation, zoological research and recreation. OZS does this through membership drives, fund-raising, capital campaigns, marketing, special events and public relations.

The animal hospital is just one of several projects the OZS hopes to complete in its Master Plan. Other projects include at restaurant/event center, herbarium and a new aquatic center.