James Patrick McBride

James Patrick (Pat) McBride was born March 27, 1953 in San Antonio, Texas to William Jasper McBride and Fern Sellin McBride. He entered the gates of Heaven on August 30, 2025 due to complications following a bone marrow transplant.

Following his graduation from Robert E. Lee High School in 1972, Pat joined the San Antonio Fire Department where he worked for 32 years, retiring as an engineer in 2006. In 2002, he met Judy Butler and they married in 2004. They both loved and nurtured a number of dogs, including Pat’s treasured Shiloh, a beautiful Bernese Mountain dog, who Pat treated as a daughter.

Pat enjoyed playing fantasy football with his friends in River Crossing and at Around the Bend. In the past, He also enjoyed joining friends for a night of poker, frequently playing at the home of Robert and Judy English, where he ended the night tossing coins all around for their daughter, Jeannine, to find the next morning and keep. In more recent days, he took up woodworking and created beautiful cutting boards for friends and family. Despite numerous attempts to get him to start a small business, he was extremely humble and preferred to sell at a very low price or give them away to close friends. Most of all, Pat loved golf. He was an avid golfer, holding membership in the Cosmopolitan Golf Association-San Antonio for many years. He played numerous charity tournaments, travelling to Myrtle Beach, Phoenix, Tucson, Albuquerque, and Reno. He loved spending time on a course with cherished friends, Bart Moczygemba, Cecil Wilkinson, Jim Cook, and his father-in-law, Raschel Butler. Inevitably, they followed up their games with a few rounds of beer, rehashing every stroke and critiquing plays. Sometimes, a Jack and coke pushed him into a break-out performance of Elvis Presley’s song Hound Dog, which was always a memorable night.

Pat was a man of few words, but once engaged he could talk your ear off, often surprising you with his wicked sense of humor, and one-liners that sometimes left one gasping with laughter and wonder at the way his mind worked, and the words that passed his lips. Although he was typically quiet, his actions spoke volumes. He could be gruff on the outside but soft and tender on the inside, stubborn yet relenting at the same time, and stood unwavering in his convictions. He had a huge heart and, without a doubt, would take the shirt off his back to help a friend in need. Mostly, Pat was strong, brave, courageous, and determined, and fought hard to the end. He will always be his wife’s hero.

Pat was dearly loved and cherished by his wife. He was her world and the devastation of his passing has left a hole in her heart that will forever be void and never filled. Pat was predeceased by his father, William Jasper McBride; mother, Fern Sellin McBride; brothers, Michael McBride and Tom McBride; father-in-law, Raschel Butler; and mother-in-law, Helen Butler Nicholson. He is survived by his wife, Judy; sister Pamela McBride; sister-in-law Cindy McBride; nephews Travis Taylor and Justin Butler; and best friends Bart Moczygemba and Robert English; and a host of many amazing friends.

A private graveside ceremony will be held at a later date.