Meet Our Staff
Tex R. Kilpatrick
Tex has been a licensed funeral director for over 58 years. Tex is a graduate of Louisiana State University and has carried forth the Kilpatrick tradition while serving on several professional associations. They include Selected Independent Funeral Homes (SIFH), Louisiana Funeral Directors Association (LFDA), National Funeral Directors Association and the Louisiana Insurance Commission (LIC). Tex is an active supporter of higher education, having served on the University of Louisiana at Monroe Board of Supervisors, the ULM Foundation and the LSU Alumni and Foundation Board. Tex is a past president of the West Monroe Chamber of Commerce and a past board member of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. An avid hunter and fisherman, Tex has served as the state Chairman of Ducks Unlimited and as a National Trustee for that organization. He is a past president of the Louisiana Insurers Conference and currently serves on the board of Iberia Bank. Tex and his wife, Carole, have been married for 49 years and are active members of First Baptist Church of West Monroe. They have three daughters, Kerry Layne Kilpatrick, Robin Kilpatrick Fincher and Laura Kilpatrick Marchelos and four grandchildren. Tex is a resident of Monroe, La.
Laura Kilpatrick Marchelos
Laura has been a licensed funeral director for 3 years and has been with Kilpatrick Funeral Homes for 5 years. She and her husband, Zak, have 1 son. Laura works closely with family members and staff. She is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe and Parson School of Design in New York City. She lived and worked in New York City for 12 years until the devastating attacks of 9/11. Her professional affiliations include Selected Independent Funeral Homes (SIFH), Louisiana Funeral Directors Association (LFDA) and the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). Laura and Zak are members of The Pentecostals of the Twin Cities. She also participates in fund raising events and non – profit organizations. Laura is a resident of Monroe.
Zachary "Zak" Marchelos
Zak is a Certified Pre Need Consultant with Kilpatrick Funeral Homes. After the devastating terrorist attack of 9/11 in New York City, Zak and his wife, Laura Kilpatrick Marchelos, moved to Monroe, La. Having experienced that loss, Zak possesses a deep understanding of families unprepared for death. Zak has a vast knowledge of Pre Arrangement services and life insurance products. He and his wife and their son, James, are members of The Pentecostals of the Twin Cities. Zak enjoys cooking and watching the New York Yankees baseball team. But most of all, he enjoys spending time with his son and wife. Zak is a resident of Monroe, La.
John Cunningham
John has been a licensed funeral director for over 26 years and has been with Kilpatrick Funeral Homes for over 23 years. John and his wife, Linda, have 2 children and 3 grandchildren. They are members of Hyde Park Missionary Baptist Church where John, every summer, oversees church camp. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the American Legion. John is also a retired Major in the National Guard and is versed in many military services. John is a resident of West Monroe, La.
Larry Hibbard
Larry has been a licensed funeral director for over 9 years and hales from Rome, Georgia. He has been with Kilpatrick Funeral Home since 2004 and moved here to be closer to his family. He and his wife, Patty, have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. They are members of Highland Baptist Church in West Monroe. He is the Chaplain of the American Legion #13 and on the Board of Directors of the Monroe Kiwanis. Larry is a retired Major in the Air Force and is versed in many military services. Larry is a resident of Monroe, La.
Steve Lanigan
Steve has been a licensed funeral director for over 26 years and has been with Kilpatrick Funeral Homes for over 9 years. He and wife, Michelle, have 3 children. They are members of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Ruston, La. Steve is also a member of the Lions Club of Ruston. Steve is a resident of Ruston, La.
Robert "Bob" Hearn
Bob is the Operations Manager for Kilpatrick Funeral Homes. He has been a licensed funeral director for over 17 years and has been with Kilpatrick Funeral Homes for over 18 years. He and his wife, Sally, have 3 children. They are members of Temple Baptist Church where Bob is a deacon. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club and attends Lincoln Chamber of Commerce meetings as the funeral homes' representative. Bob is a past president of the North Louisiana Funeral Directors Association. Bob is a lifelong resident of Ruston, La.
Jason McKee
Jason is the Ouachita Parish Manager of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes. He has been a licensed funeral director for over 17 years. He has been with Kilpatrick Funeral Homes for 17 years. He and his wife, Deanna, have 1 daughter. They are members of Mount Vernon Baptist Church. He is a member of the West Monroe Rotary Club. Jason is a past president of the North Louisiana Funeral Directors Association. Jason was born and raised in Caldwell Parish and is a resident of West Monroe, La.
Crystal Jiles
Crystal has been a licensed funeral director for over 8 years and has been with Kilpatrick Funeral Homes for over 7 years. Crystal and her husband, Derrick, have 2 children. Crystal is a resident of Calhoun, Louisiana.
Rodney Sanders
Rodney has been an Ordained Minister with Kilpatrick Funeral Homes for over 7 years. He was ordained to the ministry in 1990 in a local West Monroe Church after taking an early retirement from 29 years in public service with the U.S. Department of Labor. Rodney served as a pastor in an area church and still has an active ministry preaching in many churches in Northeast Louisiana. Rodney is available to meet with your family and assist with funeral services as well as conduct services for your loved one.
Pam Lavender
Pam Lavender has long had a great love for the elderly, disabled and for those in time of need, having worked with senior citizens in Ouachita Parish for the past 20 years.
An active volunteer with the Grief Ministry at First Baptist Church in West Monroe as well as with many hospice agencies, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, Pam also serves on the boards of two non-profit agencies, assisting the elderly and disabled. She and her family are members of St. Paschal's Catholic Church in West Monroe.
Pam is a Certified After Care Provider and is a graduate of the American Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice training. As our new, full-time Director of Grief & Community Services, she offers understanding, counseling and support to those in time of need, as well as a variety of creative and appealing events for seniors and special healing activities for children and teens.