Patrick Allen O’Brien, age 79, died on Saturday, May 13, 2017 in Corpus Christi, Texas. A native Texan, Pat was born in Houston on September 16, 1937 to Elenora and William O’Brien. He attended Saint Vincent de Paul Elementary, Saint Thomas High School, and the University of Houston where he studied engineering and was a member of Phi Kappa. He grew up in the Heights and in 1958 married his high school sweetheart, Linda Gavin, with whom he shared 50 years before her passing in 2008.

Pat's career primarily focused on commercial drywall construction and earned his first big break by winning a contract to help build NASA's Mission Control in the 1960s. He continued working in the construction business until moving into computer estimating software.

Pat was passionate about fishing, so much so that he decided he needed a boat to go with it. His masterpiece, Patience, was lovingly restored by Pat with his dear friend, Allen Ward. According to them, while using bubblegum as bait, their biggest catch was a "whale-o-gator" in 1982.  Besides fishing, Pat was an avid photographer, music-lover, woodworker (crafting full-sized gymnastic beams, intricate doll houses and dining room tables), gardener, Power Squadron maritime instructor, and full-time grandfather. He was a true southern gentleman with an infectious laugh, who never met a stranger.

Pat is predeceased by his parents, his wife Linda, daughter Deborah, and son-in-law Michael McCormick. He is survived by his son Bill and husband, Matt; daughters Cindy and husband Bob, Diane and husband Chris; and 6 grandchildren - Hanna, Genevieve, Chloe, Isabel, Mike, and Matt. The family would like to thank the caring staff at The Mirador in Corpus Christi, as well as, the staff at TIRR Hermann Memorial Hospital and his in-home nursing care in Houston.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o'clock until eight o'clock in the evening on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at Bradshaw-Carter Memorial & Funeral Services, 1734 West Alabama Street in Houston, where the rosary for Pat will begin at seven o'clock. The funeral mass will begin at half past ten o'clock in the morning on Friday, May 19, 2017 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6800 Buffalo Speedway in Houston. A private family burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to TIRR Hermann Memorial Hospital, Houston, Texas.

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