Smith Lake People: Terry Kilpatrick of Triple Creek Marina

Triple Creek Marina provides more than just popsicles for children and gas for your water toys. Triple Creek Marina is truly a testament composed of hard work, faith, trial and error…not to mention being handy around welding metal is helpful too.  Builder, owner and operator Terry Kilpatrick has loved Smith Lake before it even was a lake.  Along with his wife Shelby and his family - his love for Smith Lake runs deep.  This enormous body of water holds many memories and was so important to Terry that he requested to spend his last days surrounded by family at home.  At home is more than a house, home is Smith Lake.

Terry was one of Smith Lake’s most dedicated residents that has literally been there since the beginning. Terry and his siblings knew Smith Lake as their home and were amazed to see the landscape transform.  Once the construction of the dam was complete, together from their childhood home, they watched water fill Rock Creek. The lake filled much faster than anticipated. Terry remembers his older brother J.T. crossed the Rock Creek Bridge on a Sunday night going back to his job in Birmingham. When J.T. returned home on Friday, he was told the Rock Creek Bridge was underwater and he needed to go through Addison to return to the family’s home in Arley. 

Married more than 50 years, Shelby also shared her husband’s affection of Smith! She recalls first hearing of "Smith Lake" and found it hard to believe that folks would boat and ski in areas of Rock, Sipsey and Brushy Creek.  In the early 1970s after the birth of their first child, Terry and Shelby purchased their first lot on Crooked Creek. As the family grew, the Kilpatrick children loved Smith Lake and it became their primary playground in the summer. Cherishing time together outdoors, they enjoyed Smith Lake because it provided the opportunity to camp, swim and ski - all the things Smith Lake is still known for today!

Mortgaging their assets, the Kilpatrick's purchased a tract of undeveloped land joining Bailey Bridge northwest and began a development, known today as Triple Creek Estates. This was simply Terry’s part-time gig as he was employed by day with Chicago Bridge and trained in working with metal. In the late 1980’s he decided to build a marina. Terry drew out the plans and using a building at the family’s home in Addison, he cut and welded what is now known as the "store" in sections. Realizing there was simply not enough traffic on the lake at the time for the Kilpatrick’s to run the marina full-time. Triple Creek Marina was closed after the Kilpatrick children graduated from high school, left for college or higher education and got their own full time jobs.

Foreshadowing a change of pace, in 2001 the Kilpatrick home in Addison burned. Wanting to rebuild, Smith Lake would be the next location for the new Kilpatrick house. Being close to the water provided comfort as Terry announced his retirement as his health was declining.  Shelby followed her love to retirement. Triple Creek Marina re-opened in 2015. Terry loved spending his last years meeting a new generation of Smith Lake people at his Marina. Tyren Kilpatrick operates the Marina today.  

The Kilpatrick family has many memories of this hard working man whom they loved so much. Terry is described as an incredible husband, devoted Dad to their now adult children;Chuck, Tyren and their late daughter, Lee'Ann. He was proud of his title "Pawpaw" to their four grandsons; Dane, Brett, Trent, and Rhett. Terry also knew his family was growing with a new grandson, Titan due in April and his first great-grandson, Judd, in July. This year has brought and will continue to bring many firsts for the Kilpatrick family. Our lake has lost the love of a good man, one whom watched it fill and has seen it through many changes. As boating season begins, stop by Triple Creek Marina and welcome the new additions to the Kilpatrick’s home and help them in celebrating Terry’s love of our Lewis Smith Lake!

Terry Eugene Kilpatrick 
September 21, 1947 - February 11, 2018

Triple Creek Marina 

1512 Co Rd 4022

Arley, AL 35541