A Tribute To Our Friend
Patrick Ray Prestage
April 2, 1950-January 22, 2007
"Baby, you're the greatest!"
Love & War - April 9, 2006
Jesse Dayton Concert & Pat's Birthday Celebration
Our Texas music family has suffered a terrible loss with the passing of Pat Prestage. But he will remain in our hearts and minds always. Goodbye, dear Pat, until we meet again. And we have to believe we WILL meet again. The thought of never enjoying your company again is more than we bear. - Miss Lana
If you knew him, please feel free to submit your comments, message, story, memory, pictures to add to this tribute.
Click here to e-mail me.
As an active member of The Lions Club, Pat was involved with many civic and charitable activities. One dear to his heart was the Crippled Children's Camp. If you would like to make a donation in Pat's honor to this charity, here is the address:
The Lions Club
308 Texoma Drive
Whitesboro, TX 76273
For: Crippled Childrens Camp
It is truly a sad time for friends of Pat. He was one of those people that you couldn’t help but like. He was kind and gentle and had a heart of gold! One of the Shellyfest’s we had, he brought me the cd of “The Last Waltz”. Pat didn’t know that I loved that cd, but he liked it and hoped that I would. It was one of the best gifts I have ever gotten. He also used to bring me bandanas if the weather was hot. I keep picturing him with his wagon and all of his toys. He was always prepared! He was one of a kind, a true gentleman and a good friend. He will be sorely missed.
Shelly Mack
Pat & Steve Smith at Tommy Alverson's Family Gathering #9-October 2006
Pat with friends at Gruene Hall - Fred in Texas Weekend 2006 (Where's Pat?)
Pat was one of those people that had a heart as big as he was. A true “gentle” man. He was one of those people, from the very first time you met him, made a lasting impression on you.
He was someone that would always go out of his way to say “Hi” and give you a big hug. When he would say “Hi, how are ya doing”, it always seemed it was more than just a casual, passing comment. It seemed like he really was genuinely concerned how you were. I feel very blessed to have crossed paths with Pat, during this life. I know he is in Heaven, looking down on us, while listening to his favorite Music. He was a real gem and will be missed.
Condolences to Pat’s family and friends.
Diane Dickson
6/11/07
Tom and I attended the Tommy Alverson/Ed Burleson event this past weekend in
Meridian. The lottery was held Saturday afternoon. We had two tickets, and
we felt fortunate one of them was called almost immediately and we picked
out two camp sites (two sites per ticket) and then waited for the second
number to be called. While we were waiting we were looking for Pat. We
both thought it was odd that he wasn't there and we had not seen him Friday
night. Finally our number was called. Tom was standing in a long
line while I went back to the camp to refill the cooler. While I was
gone, Tom started talking to Denise Bell who was in line behind him.
Denise told Tom about Pat's passing. What a strange coincidence.
I met Pat in Meridian at Larry Joe Taylor's, years ago and lost track of him
when Larry moved to Stephenville. Four years ago we found Pat again at
Tommy's Gathering at Tres Rios. He was a generous, wonderful person,
truly concerned for those around him and always ready to lend a hand.
I have fond memories of Pat and will always toast to him at Tommy's
Gatherings.
Sincerely, Laura Trainor
Sangerhalle
Fred In Texas Weekend March 2006
Pat & friends at Love & War- April 2006
Kathy Young
Pat was one of the most unique people I have ever known. It was my honor to be his friend.
There are so many memories and stories that Steve and I have. Pat and Steve could certainly be "mischievous" when they got together....
I can still see the look on his face when we all surprised him with a birthday celebration at the first Fred Weekend back in 2004.
He never came to dinner without bringing something. Many times I would walk out the front door and there would be a beautiful plant on the steps that he had left the night before.
Pat was selfless, caring, and considerate ~ for him it was always about the other people.
He made my world a better place and I will miss him with all my heart.
Debbie Weiss
Debbie, Pat and Tricia at Cuervo Acres
Jimmy Bownds & Pat bellying up to the bar at Saengerhalle March 2006
Pat with friends at Steve Berg's Benefit (Eleven Hundred Springs) at W.W. Fairfield's
To Pat
In life, I know you wouldn’t want your friends to hurt. Not for any reason. Not for anything you could have done. Yet in your passing you have left a great hole where your presence once was and you will be sorely missed. Treasured memories are all we have of you.
Good bye, dear friend, until we meet again.
Why did we love him?
He was unique, the type of person you rarely meet. It was his nature, his disposition, his thoughtfulness. He was a kind man. He treated you like his best friend. Pat will hold a very special place in our hearts.
He was, Camp Daddy.
He was the chaperon for unaccompanied ladies at the camp outs. He made sure they found their way back to camp, that their chairs and coolers made it to the show and back and that they had coffee and breakfast in the mornings. Ahh, the pork roast in the smoker!
It was, Camp O Fun Inc.
Tina and I called him one Saturday in September (I think), neither one of us were doing much. So we grabbed some chicken and hauled ass up there. Pat pulled out some garden fresh veggies and tomatoes and whipped some sides up. I grilled the chicken and we had a nice evening watching Fred on video. I’m very thankful for that. He loved his home and his garden. I’m really going to miss his blackberry preserves.
It’s been several weeks now since he left us, and I can’t seem to finish this.
I keep adding, deleting and editing. I guess I just miss him and can’t let go. I see his number in my phone, his email in my address book and I want to talk to him. I’ll miss that too, he would always talk to ya.- “ I Love you guys”
On a side note, I saw the other night how Ralph Cramden always resolved situations with wife Trixie – “ Baby, you’re the greatest! “
Scott Mensing
I heard Mark Mundy playing a bunch of Pat's favorite artists Friday. That was cool. The last time I saw him was at Tommy's. He assisted me in setting up a new tent, and to his surprise, watched me cut a hole in it for my AC unit. I am gonna miss biscuits and gravy from his travel kitchen, tie dyes and overalls and the party wagon and all the special ways he made me laugh.
Holly, my heart goes out to you, my friend, I know you guys were very close. Kathy, Tammy, Chris, Lana and all my friends to the north metroplex, my thoughts and prayers are with you guys and I miss y'all very much.
Hey Pat, hug Stevie Ray for me.
PEACE MI AMIGO
Respectfully,
James Mills
Here's looking at you, kid!
Fred J. Eaglesmith on stage
Fred In Texas Weekend-2006
Gruene Hall
Pat (first on the left) with Texas Music fans from all over the U.S., Canada (of course with Fred being a Canadian and an honorary Texan) and even from England! This group met for lunch in Waco on the way to the Fred In Texas Weekend. It was such a cool way to start the festivities. Just goes to show you how the internet and music can bring people from all walks of life together.
Left to Right: Lana, Dana, Andy, Pat and Tracie at Gruene Hall-March 2006 1st Night of Fred In Texas Weekend
Dana Jones (aka Lone Star Mama)
Cuervo Acres
The link above doesn't work, because that website doesn't exist. But it just might some day, because everybody should be like Pat.
Miss Lana
Camp 'O Fun Inc at Tommy's Family Gathering 2005
Pat and Tammy at Love & War in Texas 2003
I was at the Commander Cody concert the night that Pat got his albums signed and I had more fun watching him the whole night. He was so excited that he was like a little boy. He was almost jumping up and down.
He so loved Fred Eaglesmith. This spring the Fred in Texas festival is going to be really difficult without him. We’re going to need each other to lean on, but he’ll be there in spirit.
It’s really weird to laugh and cry at the same time, but it happens every time I start to miss him. His wonderful caring way makes me smile through my tears.
I can hear him saying “Hey Lady” so I just close my eyes and give him a big hug in my mind.
Tammy Knott
"Poppy" Pat with two of his grandkids, Bryce and Bailey, at the Children's Museum - January 2006
Gloria, Pat & Chris at Fred In Texas Weekend 2005
Gloria (aka G-L-O-R-I-A)
Pat Trivia: Some of Pat's favorite artists were Fred Eaglesmith, The Dust Devils, Commander Cody, Bill Kirchen, The Cornell Hurd Band, and James McMurtry and Bob Livingston.
Pat & Holly at Larry Joe Taylor's Music Festival-2003
Pat, Holly & Steve at TMR in 2003
Pat, Holly & Steve at Love & War in Texas
Pat & Friends at Bill's Records & Tapes
Fred Eaglesmith performed that day.
Pat was the one of the biggest Fred Eaglesmith fans I know. If Fred was playing anywhere in Texas, Pat was usually there, especially if it was North Texas. Pat was the one who talked me into going to Fred In Texas Weekend last year. He rode down there with me, and we had a lot of laughs on the road. We were excited about the new moniker that Bill Kirchen gave us during his performance at that show...Frednecks! Both KHYI and KNON (our local radio stations that play our kind of music) played Fred songs in tribute to Pat. It was a fitting tribute to a man who loved Fred's music. Thanks, Scott, for sending this picture of Pat and friends at Bill's.-Miss Lana
P.S. His straw hat with the Fredhead pin and his American flag pin were with him when he was buried, and "Wilder Than Her" was played at his visitation. "Dixie Lullaby" was played at his service. Yes, he was a mountain of a man, and still is in my mind.
Pat Trivia: Pat loved Monty Python.
One of the venues where we all first kind of got to know each other was Love & War in Texas, Plano. Shiner Sundays were a time we could all get together on the patio and visit with each other while listening to great live music and eat, drink and be merry. Although I haven't been going to Love & War regularly in the past three years, I have more pictures from Love & War of our music family than anywhere else, I think. We went there so often for awhile that I really can't remember who was playing when this picture was taken. But it doesn't matter, I'm just glad I have pictures of these memorable times to share with all of Pat's friends and family. It will be so hard for us go see music without our Pat. But we also know that his spirit and love is always with us and there is some comfort knowing that. - Miss Lana
Connie (Pat's cousin), Pat & Holly at Love & War
July 2005
The hopes and prayers of a nation ride with y'all - ML
Crazy Shirley & Pat at Tommy's Family Gathering - 2002
Pat Trivia: He was a loyal and active member of the Lions Club of Whitesboro, Texas, most recently serving as Secretary/Treasurer.
I was stunned to hear about Pat. I still am. In our wonderful Texas music family of friends, Pat was always there...solid, sweet, loving the music and his friends. His absence will be impossible to deny.
Jessie the neighbor
P.S. Hey Pat, how's Johnny Cash doing? and Waylon, and Elvis?
Pat Trivia: Pat was learning how to cook chuck wagon style, directly over coals. He had collected several cast iron pots and pans.
Pat with some of his music family at Love & War in Texas. Those were the days, my friends.
Steve Weiss and Pat
I don't know if I can add very
much to all the comments people made about what a great person Pat was. I
can say that, without fail, he was genuinely more concerned about the wants
and needs of other people than he was about his own.
We hung out a lot together and had a lot of fun. The first time I saw the
following groups, we were together: 1100 Springs (at Pickin' in the Pines-
Chuck also came down with Pat); Terry Allen; Fred Eaglesmith ( I don't
usually go out on weeknights, but he talked me into a Thursday night show,
and I'm glad he did); Cross Canadian Ragweed; Gary P Nunn; and some more
that I can't recall right now.
He also got me re-interested in groups like Commander Cody and people like
Bill Kirchen. One good memory took place at a Bill Kirchen show. Pat
had a sack full of Commander Cody and Bill Kirchen 33's and CD's. At
either the break or the end of the show, Pat got Bill to sign them.
Bill made the comment that Pat had more of "their" stuff than Bill's
grandmother.
I will miss you my friend more than I can say. I just hope to see you
in the next life.
Steve Weiss
Pat & Chris
I had to work but I was sure thinking about Pat as I drove around DeSoto & Duncanville. I was thinking about Fred Eaglesmith's "Crowds". I don't like "Dusty" much, but that song always struck a chord when I heard it. Now I will always think about Pat and big and little crowds we shared great music and good times with. He was really one in a million. When Holly and Co. went into KHYI and Dallas put her on the air to talk about Pat and play some Fred in his honor, it helped me feel like I was there somehow.
Lana, Pat & Denise hanging out at Camp 'O Fun Inc singing with a Fred CD at Tommy's Family Gathering
Pat at Tommy's Family Gathering - 2006
RIP, Pat. We love you and we will miss you SO MUCH!
Hey, guys. My dad had a heart attack yesterday and had bypass surgery last night all seems to be going well. leaving now for the hospital. Life is precious so are my friends I love you guys. Pat
Feedback on tribute:
First of all, all I can say is WOW!!! This is awesome. I refer to all of you as “Dad's music Friends”, and I want to say Thank You for this tribute. I have not been able to read all of it yet, but in time I will. I hope you know how much ALL of you meant to him, and hope you know how much this page means to me. My dad was the greatest man I ever knew and the greatest man I will ever know.
Thanks Again,
Amanda Darnell
(Pat’s Daughter) 2/1/07
Happy Birthday Dad!!!! I know you are looking down on me. I still can't believe your gone. Miss you lots and love you always!!!! ~Sis~ 4-2-07
Happy Valentines Day Dad!!! Miss you so much!!! Love you always..... Sis 2-14-07
Happy Fathers day daddy. Love you and Miss you lots! ~Sis~ 6-16-07
Merry Christmas Daddy! Never knew I could miss someone so much. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you or wish you were still here. Love you always, Sis 12/07
I want to thank you for the special tribute to my cousin Pat. He was special. I got to know Pat more when we were teenagers. He was my brother's age and closer to him, but he was always nice to his younger cousin. One great memory that I always tell my city friends (I grew up in Houston but enjoyed the small town experiences) is when Pat would take me and my friend driving around all the small dirt roads around Whitesboro at night for fun and somehow he would get us home. I think it was in his VW.
When my father died, his favorite Uncle Buddy, Pat drove to Houston and
camped in our back yard when he got in late. My mother still remembers that
emotionally. That's Pat.
Later Pat would visit me in Austin when we were older and I would visit his
young family in Whitesboro. In 1984, I decided to move to Colorado to be
with my family, guess who helped me, Pat. Pat and Layton drove with me
in my VW to Denver because he didn't want me to make the trip by myself.
That's Pat.
Years later Pat tried to bring our extended family together by reinstating
the family reunion. He cared so much about his family roots. He did a
great job and we had great times. Living in Colorado my family only
made it to 2 reunions, but now I regret not keeping the tradition alive.
Pat tried and kept it going for several years. That's Pat.
I didn't see Pat very much in the last 10 years. He visited and spent
time mostly with Gene, my brother. I will always remember Pat, and
thank you for giving us this opportunity to give tribute to this wonderful
man.
Cousin Liz
A Family Reunion Photo
From the Herald Democrat, January 24, 2007
Patrick Ray Prestage
WHITESBORO, Texas — Patrick Ray Prestage was born April 2, 1950, in Gainesville, Texas. He passed away Monday, January 22, 2007, at his residence.
His parents are Weldon Ray Prestage and Betty Darrell Kirkpatrick Prestage.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 25, 2007 at Nelson Grove Cemetery, Cooke County, Texas. Rev. Rusty Waller will officiate.
The family will be at Huff Funeral Home, 409 W. Main Street, Whitesboro, Wednesday, January 24, 2007 from 7 to 8 p.m. for family visitation.
Pallbearers will be Mike Hinojosas, Chuck Mills, Clint Vaughn, Malcolm Skinner, Gary Reppond, Jeff Patterson and Steve Weiss.
Pat Prestage was married to Brenda Bell on June 22, 1974. They had two beautiful children, Layton and Amanda.
He had been a member and former president of the Whitesboro Lions Club and held various other offices.
Pat is survived by one son, Patrick Layton Prestage of Whitesboro, and a daughter, Amanda Michelle Darnell, also of Whitesboro.
He was fondly called Poppy by his four grandchildren, Bailey Darnell, Bryce Darnell, Seth Prestage and Kodi Prestage.
He is also survived by his parents, Ray and Betty Prestage of Whitesboro; two sisters, Lou Anne Patterson of Whitesboro and Polly Pearce of Keller, Texas; four nephews and one niece, Terry Ray Cason, Darrell Cason, Matthew Pearce, Ross Pearce and Polly Anna Achorn.
Pat leaves behind numerous family and friends.
Arrangements are under the direction of Huff Funeral Home, Whitesboro, Texas.
Our deepest condolences to Pat's family. We know how much you love him just as we do. His life and loving spirit will continue to be celebrated in our circle. His Music Family