Myrl Dan "Pat" Padfield Jr.

also known as "Pat", "Junior", Daddy, and "G-Pa", graduated to his eternal career December 7, 2013 with his family at his side. He excelled in his life's course as a student, soldier, professor, bible scholar, author, musician, minister, junior high teacher, and family patriarch.

Pat was born in Houston, Texas November 23, 1924 to M. D. Padfield and Ruby Mae Parrack as the second of two children. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 67 years, the love of his life - Lucille Burney, who passed only 37 days before him. He is survived by his sister Marjorie Padfield Roeben and her husband Fred as well as one of Lucille's sisters Juanita Burney Rhodes and her husband Robert.

He is survived by all three children (each who was so “spoiled” and often mistaken for an “only” child) and their spouses: Jeanne Padfield Sims, Wayde Douglas Padfield and Marjorie Padfield Zamora, 6 grandchildren and their spouses: Stephanie Sims, Michelle Padfield Force, Christopher Padfield, Rhett Stringer, Rory Stringer, and Robbyn Stringer Alvarado. He is also survived by 13 great grandchildren who knew him as "G-Pa" and nieces, nephews, and grand nieces/ nephews who called him Uncle Pat.

A native Houstonian, Pat grew up in Cottage Grove and graduated from Lamar High School. While the "great depression" affected everyone, his family was blessed because his father, a mechanic, worked for Foremost Dairy; which made milk products readily available. Also as a consequence of the times, Pat's family was rarely without house guests. His widowed grandmother lived with them from time to time, as well as members of the Brandt family; whose mother had died. Talking about and documenting these early years was a special gift of Pat's.

Although he was a gentle and fun-loving soul and a talented musician, Pat eagerly accepted the Padfield heritage of military duty after Pearl Harbor - obtaining only his dad's signature for joining the Army Air Force when he was 17. His father served during WWI, his grandfather Thomas Jefferson Padfield in the Pacific rim during the Spanish-American war, and his great-great grandfather James C. Padfield as a Union soldier from Illinois during the Civil War. Like most soldiers involved in combat, he rarely discussed the war. As a radio operator / tail gunner he flew 48 missions with the famous Red Raiders of the 22nd Bomb Group - US Army 5th Air Corps - island hopping in the South Pacific in advance of the soldiers and marines. Pat, Lucille, their children and spouses were privileged to attend a ceremony where he was honored at the Pacific Theatre Museum in Fredericksburg in late 2012.

While he was almost 5 years older, Pat and Lucille became acquainted as they attended the same church. After returning from the war, he fell in love with Lucille, no longer a child but now a beautiful woman. They started their life together in a double wedding with Lucille's brother Walter and his bride Shirley on September 1, 1946 and were rarely apart until her recent death.

Pat was the first in his family to receive a college degree. He started his study with business courses, but soon discovered that his talent was teaching. He worked his way through college tutoring football players, doing other odd jobs and utilizing the GI bill. Jeanne and Doug were both born before he received his degree in Education from Texas Tech.

While he taught public school in New Mexico for a few years, his true mission appeared when he became the Dean and eventually President at a private Bible College in Mississippi. Marji was born there. During the ensuing years Pat and Lucille became full time ministers; leading many to Christ and fostering ministers who continue that spiritual mission well beyond their generation. His only son Doug has assumed the Padfield mantle - first as an Air Force instructor and currently as a lay minister.

Later in life, Pat returned to his first love of teaching 8th grade English and retired in the Aldine School District where his creative and communication skills earned him the honor of teacher of the year.

The golden years were blessed with many new friends and travel to Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, cruises in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and the Panama Canal. Pat and Lucille loved family, playing games, making puzzles, preparing fabulous meals and raising roses at the Galveston beach house they shared with Jeanne. Marji's children were young and spent many weekends with G-Ma and G-Pa learning about nature and crucial aspects of living a full and happy life.

Just as they were inseparable in life, Pat and Lucille are once again together - forever - no pain, no sorrow, no tears. What a marvelous legacy of love, family, marriage and service!