Patrick Joseph Falterman II

Patrick Joseph Falterman II, age 26 of Cleveland, Texas, passed away Saturday, September 3, 2016. He was born March 16, 1990 at Minot AFB in North Dakota to parents Pat and Cindy Falterman. He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Casey and Edna Falterman and his Godfather/Paran Joey LaLonde.

Patrick lived life to the fullest. As a young boy, he loved reptiles and nature, and he left home at 19 to explore the world. He spent almost 6 years hitchhiking through Central and South America and canoeing the Amazon Basin. He touched many lives in many different countries, and became fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese. During the last year and a half, he came back home to pursue a career in aviation. His training as a commercial was due to be completed next month after which he planned to pursue his passion for adventure and aviation as a bush pilot or aerial applicator. He was an inspiration to many, not only because of his daring spirit and spontaneous nature, but also his personality, which was full of humor, intelligence, wit, and general "joie de vivre." He wrote of his travels in his blog www.hitchtheworld.com

Survivors include his parents Pat and Cindy Falterman; maternal grandparents, Raymond and Evelyn LaLonde; son, Erik Oliver da Silva Falterman; brother, David Falterman; sister, Ellen Falterman; his girlfriend and love of his life, Isa Garcia; and numerous other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church (702 E. Houston St, Cleveland TX 77327) on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. A celebration of Patrick's life will be held on Sunday, September 11 from 3:30 p.m. until dark at the Cleveland Municipal Airport (17699 Highway 787 Cleveland TX 77327).

In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate contributions to a scholarship fund for the Tarkington Schools that will be set up in his name at a later date.