Earl Carney Patrick age 97, of San Saba, Texas, went to be the Lord and Savior on April 30, 2022. Earl was born December 9, 1924, in Mercury, in San Saba County, Texas, to Lester Butcher Patrick and Della Ann Smith Patrick. Earl attended Elm Grove school during his younger years and graduated from Richland Springs High School in 1943. Mr. Patrick then enlisted in the US Navy in December 1943 and was honorably discharged in April 1946. He trained as a torpedo man in San Diego, California, and served in the ammunition depot at Pearl Harbor and on the north side of Oahu. He later served 14 months in Guam.
After his service in the Navy, he was transported by bus to San Saba. He then began his journey home, by foot, to his home at Old Patrick place on the Colorado River, that was several miles. He was eventually picked up in Richland Springs and was driven the remaining distance. Earl claimed to have gone to college for one day; he spent that one day waiting in long lines at Howard Payne only to be told repeatedly to go to another line where he would wait again. Eventually, he had a career changing attitude; he went back home and began his lifelong career of farming and ranching and had no regrets. Earl purchased 320 acres bordering the old Patrick home place. He did it his way, on his own and did not borrow money from his father for that endeavor.
On February 25, 1951, Earl married the love of his life, Lydia. They began their life together in the Bowser Community before moving to Tankersly and Miles, Texas, where he worked on cotton farms. When his own father retired and moved away, Earl and his family moved into the Patrick home on the Colorado River. Teresa and Perry became the fourth generation to live there. Earl and Lydia raised two children, cattle, goats, pecans, cotton, peanuts, and a bountiful garden. To supplement the farming and ranching income, Mr. Patrick also held various other secondary jobs such as bulldozer operator, working at the peanut house in Richland Springs and Loadcraft industries in Brady. Mr. Patrick was a devoted Christian and served as a steward at Bowser Community Church. He attended the Richland First Baptist Church for as long as he was physically able. Earl also served many years on the Richland Springs Utility District Board; his appreciation plaque for serving is still proudly displayed.
Earl is preceded in death by his parents, Lester Butcher Patrick and Della Ann Smith Patrick; his beloved wife, Lydia Echo Martin Patrick; three brothers; and one sister. He is survived by one daughter, Teresa Ann Patrick Bush and husband O.C. Harman of Brady, Texas; one son, Perry Lynn Patrick and wife Mary Patrick of Brownwood, Texas; five grandchildren: Patrick W. Bush, Marcus P. Patrick, Carlos DeLa Garza, Adam Garza, and Julie Kilgore; numerous great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Varga Chapel Cemetery, 1002 West Church Street, San Saba, Texas 76877, or Elm Grove Volunteer Fire Department, 1622 CR 255, Rochelle, Texas 76872.