Hugh Pate Obituary

Hugh Pat Pate was born on March 7, 1938 in Austin, Texas and remained a proud Texan throughout his long life. He was raised by his parents, Mary Frances and Bob Pate, and his grandparents, Pat and Nancy Bullock. Like his grandfather, Hugh was called Pat, and he took pride in being the namesake of a West Texas rancher, educator, State Representative and Senator. A voracious reader and lover of history, Pat excelled in school and loved learning.

From childhood, Pat's favorite sport was football and his team was always the Texas Longhorns. After graduating from the New Mexico Military Institute in 1956, he attended the University of Texas with an NROTC scholarship. Pat and his best friend Bob Carnes had many escapades during their UT years - about which they remained stoically silent - but they were both successfully commissioned into the Marine Corps upon graduation.

Pat loved serving in the Marine Corps with all the opportunities for working with a variety of people in myriad roles and responsibilities. One of the reasons military life was so gratifying to him was his wife, Jane Montgomery Pate. Pat's 27-year career took them to Virginia, California, Japan, Texas, Kansas, and Rhode Island, and she made a beautiful home in each new place where they enjoyed adventures with their two daughters and made life-long friends. He served twice in Vietnam, and his career culminated with his most prized assignment: Commanding Officer of the 11th Marines in Camp Pendleton, California. As the commander of the "Cannon Cockers," he was able to work as a leader, administrator and educator, his favorite roles.

When he retired from the Marine Corps in 1987, Pat found something he was just as passionate about: community college administration. He was thrilled to come back to Austin to study and learn with a group of dedicated educators and obtain his doctorate at the University of Texas. From 1993 to 2003, he served as vice-president of administrative services at Montgomery College in The Woodlands. He oversaw the construction of the college and collaborated in establishing the systems that have served so many students since its founding.

After his second retirement, Pat moved back to Central Texas. He dedicated himself to working at his church, to serving in the Kairos Prison Ministry, and to volunteering and enjoying fellowship at the Bell Baptist Association. Longhorn football games, traveling to meet his goal of visiting all 50 states, continuing to read and learn, and being with family and friends gave him much happiness.

Pat died on February 11th with his family beside him. His wife Janie, brother Robert, and parents and grandparents predeceased him. He is survived by his loving daughters Pam and Kim; his sisters Diane Buchanan and Gayle Mullins; brothers-in-law Mac Buchanan and Ralph and Butch Montgomery; sisters-in-law Shirley and Sally Jo Montgomery; much-loved nieces and nephews and their children; and many dear friends.

Graveside services for Pat will be held at Highland Memorial Park in Weslaco, Texas on February 17th, where he will be interred alongside Janie. A memorial service celebrating his life will take place at 1 PM on March 12th at Shepherd of the Hills Christian Church, 6909 West Courtyard Drive in Austin, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kairos Prison Ministry/Hughes Unit or Shepherd of the Hills Christian Church.