Jimmy Kirkpatrick was the man Mike Tyson had as a father. He resided in Brooklyn, New York. He hails from a town known as Grier Town in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jimmy was familiar in his town because he played sports, particularly baseball.
He later moved to Brooklyn. That is where he met a woman by the name of Lorna Mae Tyson. She would go on to be Mike Tyson’s mom. Jimmy and Lorna were together, but it did not work out. Jimmy abandoned the family when Mike was still an infant.
Quick Facts About Jimmy Kirkpatrick
| Full Name | Jimmy Kirkpatrick |
| Birthdate | 1924 |
| Age at death | 68 |
| Occupation | Former boxer, gambler, street hustler, later a church deacon (claimed) |
| Husband/Wife | Had a relationship with Lorna Mae Tyson |
| Died | 1992 |
| Parents | Not Known |
| Grandchildren | Ramsey Tyson, Exodus Tyson, Amir Tyson, Milan Tyson, Mikey Lorna Tyson, Miguel Leon Tyson, Morocco Tyson |
| Children | Mike Tyson (Son), Jimmie Lee Kirkpatrick (Son), Rodney Tyson (Son), Denise Tyson (Daughter) |
| Net Worth | $3 million |
| Known As | Mike Tyson’s father figure |
| Biological Father of Mike? | No |
| Listed on Mike’s Birth Certificate? | No – Purcell Tyson is listed |
| Place of Birth | Grier Town, Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Lived In | Brooklyn, New York |
Was Jimmy Tyson’s Real Dad?
This section is confusing. Mike Tyson’s birth certificate has him named Purcell Tyson. He was a cab driver from Jamaica. But Mike never knew him. Jimmy Kirkpatrick wasn’t his biological dad, but he was the guy Mike grew up believing was his father.
So although they weren’t related, Jimmy filled that spot in Mike’s childhood life—at least briefly.
Life in Brooklyn
Jimmy did not live a very stable life in Brooklyn. He was into street life and gambling. Some claimed he was hustling and involved in other inappropriate things. He was not home much to assist in raising Mike.
Occasionally, he would stop by. He would sometimes give the children a bit of money. And then he would vanish. He didn’t stick around to raise Mike or his other siblings. That was left to Lorna Mae, their mother.
Mike lived in a rough neighborhood known as Brownsville. Home life was rough too. There wasn’t much money, and there was a lot of violence. Without a steady father figure at home, Mike found himself getting into a lot of trouble.
Did Jimmy Assist Mike in Becoming a Boxer?
In a sense, yes. Jimmy used to be a boxer himself. He boxed as “Curley Kirkpatrick.” He wasn’t well-known, but he had some talent. This might have encouraged young Mike.
Nevertheless, Jimmy did not train Mike or guide his career. That was taken care of by Mike’s coach, Cus D’Amato. Cus later became Mike’s foster father and essentially a real father to him. He provided Mike with support, love, and discipline—something Jimmy never provided.
What Was Jimmy Like?
Jimmy had a checkered reputation. As a young man, he was considered a good athlete. Later, he was referred to as a street hustler. He wasn’t reliable. He promised but failed to deliver. He wasn’t part of Mike’s family.
As he matured, he said he had changed. Some claimed he became a church deacon. But by then, the damage in Mike’s life had already been done.
Mike has indicated that he didn’t hate Jimmy. He simply felt bad that he wasn’t there.
When Did He Die?
Jimmy Kirkpatrick passed away in 1992. Mike Tyson was in prison at that time. Although they weren’t close, Mike took his father’s death personally. It reminded him of everything he didn’t have as a child.
This was a turning point, big time, for Mike. It caused him to think about his life, his decisions, and the people who actually cared about him.
READ ALSO: Mike Tyson Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Facts & More
Why Is Jimmy Significant to Mike’s Narrative?
Jimmy did not raise Mike. He was not a part of his life on a daily basis. But he was still in Mike’s narrative. Occasionally, even those who are not present will leave a trace.
Jimmy taught Mike what not to do. He provided Mike with an example of the kind of gentleman he did not want to be.
