Hal Winfield Padgett Jr.

Hal Winfield Padgett, Jr. passed away on March 6, 2024 at age 78, after a long and brave battle with the rare disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, or PSP. Win was born in Dallas on April 26, 1945. He was the only child of Hal Winfield Padgett and Marion Collins Padgett. He was part of the Holy Trinity Catholic community, attended Country Day School of Dallas and graduated Jesuit High School, Class of '63. Win spent a year at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, before becoming a proud Princeton University graduate in 1968 with a BA in Philosophy. He was an outstanding performer on the Princeton Tiger golf team- but bigger accomplishments in the game of golf lay ahead.

Having enrolled in Navy ROTC training at Princeton, Win's duties began as the Vietnam war was raging. He served with distinction aboard destroyers in the Western Pacific and South China Sea. His leadership and communication experience was invaluable when Win returned to Dallas to assist in the family business.

Win absolutely loved serving his family's customers at Padgett Printing Company, established 1903. He excelled in the printing business, assuming industry leadership capacities as President of the Printing Industries Association of Texas in 19921993, and as Vice Chairman, Government Affairs for the Printing Industries of America from 1994 to 2000. Civic service was Win's love-language. Among many Dallas causes for which he gave his time, Win volunteered generously for SMU, he served Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children for decades, he directed the Dallas Convention and Visitor's Bureau and served the Dallas Chamber of Commerce. In his bachelor days, Win was a member of the Dallas Advertising League, the Idlewild Club and the Terpsichorean Club. Win's love of learning resulted in consistent attendance at SMU post-graduate programs and membership in The Club of Dallas.

With his intelligence, disarming personality and abject love of the greatest game, Win became a considerable figure in the world of golf, cheerfully serving as a USGA Committeeman for over 30 years. Win served as Rules of Golf official at The Masters and other important golf tournaments around the USA. He was a member of Brook Hollow Golf Club, serving as its President in 2011. Win was also a member of Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey, England and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland. Win was a keen student of the Rules of Golf, having attended at least 25 Rules School sessions- nobody knows for sure. He was a Texas Golf Association board member and served American golf at its highest level as a member of the United States Golf Association's Executive Committee, holding the Treasurer's office in 2002. He was a long-time member and chair of the USGA's Museum & Archives Committee. Win collected and competed in hickory golf with ferocity, participating in the establishment of The Society of Hickory Golfers, The Hickory Grail and the National Hickory Championship. Among the many awards Win received, the TGA's Bob Wells Award, the USGA's Ike Grainger Award and the Hickory Grail's Ralph Livingston III Award were cherished.

Before his total immersion in the world of golf, Win took flying lessons, secured his private pilot license and purchased his first airplane. His flight instructor introduced Win to another student and licensed pilot, Miss Nancy Greer. She was charmed by the young gentleman's thoughtful kindness, hallmarked by an unmatched smile and a keen sense of humor. Win and Nancy's mutual passion for flight led to a romance that began appropriately at Love Field! Win and Nancy were married in 1975. Their daughter and only child, Lauren Nicole, was born in 1980. Enroute to one of Win's golf trips touring courses in up-state New York, Win and Nancy stopped in Camden, Maine. Falling in love with the town and a beautiful old cottage with a breathtaking view, the Padgetts ended their flying days so they could enjoy 41 years of lovely summers at their shoreline home in Camden, known as The Rock. Joining the Camden Yacht Club and Megunticook Golf Club provided an incredible community of long-lasting friendships. Win's summer golf was enjoyed at his historic golf club, where Win exhibited a never-ending devotion toward making his cherished MGC an even better place.

Win Padgett was a legendary friend. On the occasion of his 70th Birthday, Nancy and Lauren secretly collected over 100 letters from Win Padgett's wide array of fans, which were copied and bound in a leather book, appropriately called The Nicest Man Any one of those heartfelt pages could be included as a tribute to Win's life well-lived. One great friend's letter said of Win, "You are truly an exemplar of integrity, thoughtfulness, loyalty and gentlemanly conduct." Opinions to the contrary are hard to find!

CC Young Senior Living Center provided the wonderfully skilled-nursing care that allowed Win to bear his last years with grace and good humor, even as his health deteriorated. Nancy and Lauren are grateful for the specialized treatment, attention and love that CCY provided for the last two years, and they thank the dedicated Hospice Care team that provided support at the end of Win's life. Profound thanks to the many friends who visited Win's bright room at CC Young- his friends never left him. Win's friendship with Jesus and the consistent prayers from Win's BHGC bible study confirm Win Padgett now rests with the Lord.

Win is survived by Nancy Greer Padgett, and their daughter, Lauren Nicole Padgett as well as the family of Win's deceased cousin, Donald F. Padgett, which now includes Don's wife, Sue, and their three children, Elizabeth, Allan, David. Win is also survived by his nephew, Tony Greer. The Memorial Service will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church 8017 Preston Rd. Dallas, Texas 75225 at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday April 2, 2024, with Father Abbot Peter Verhalen officiating. The reception will follow at Brook Hollow Golf Club 8301 Harry Hines Dallas, Texas 75235.

The United States Golf Association has established the H. Winfield Padgett Jr. Fund with USGA matching to honor and celebrate Win's life, character, and passion for golf history. Donations honoring Win may be sent to the USGA Foundation, 77 Liberty Corner Rd., Liberty Corner, NJ 07938; or made online at https://foundation.usga.org/page/63871/donate/1. The family is also establishing the Win Padgett Tribute Fund, to support research into PSP and other prime of life brain diseases at www.curepsp.org.