Patrick O'Reilly

1925 - 2020

Patrick O'Reilly

Phoenix - Patrick Wayne O'Reilly, 95, passed away on May 1, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ. Patrick was born in Hugo, Oklahoma to James Patrick O'Reilly and Hattie Bennett O'Reilly on May 1, 1925. His family moved to Arizona in 1932. His father, James, was a stone mason and hard rock miner in Yavapai County and his mother worked at the local school. Patrick attended grammar school in Bumblebee, Mayer and Miller Valley, Arizona. His family then moved to Morristown where he continued grammar school and high school in Wickenburg. After graduation, he worked for the Bagdad Mining Company and then for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (AT&SF) as a Station Agent and Telegrapher at stations in New Mexico and Arizona. He entered the U.S. Navy in April 1943 and served in the South Pacific. Later that year, Patrick was ordered home to attend Naval Reserve Officer Training at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. His service in the Navy ended in April, 1946 at which time he enrolled at the University of Arizona and later graduated from UofA Law School in June, 1949.

In February of 1951, Patrick married Judy Adele Arnold. The couple raised two children, Robin O'Reilly Miller (Jeff) and Erin O'Reilly. He was in the Arizona State Legislature in 1955 and 1956. Thereafter, Patrick practiced law as a sole practitioner for 33 years, retiring in 1988. After retirement, he was often found growing many flowers at his home, including his favorite, sweet peas. He would generously give flowers to his relatives and friends and would take small bouquets to his friends at Church. He and Judy attended Palo Cristi Presbyterian Church for many years. During his life Patrick also flew airplanes, scuba dived and also enjoyed sunny days on his sailboat. He was an adventurous and inquisitive soul who was ever traveling and reading history books. During his life Patrick enjoyed homes in Phoenix, Laguna Beach, CA, and Mexico. His wife, Judy, predeceased him as well as all of his siblings: Winona (Keith) Rice, Mildred (George) Branch, Dennis (Mazie) O'Reilly, and Reba (John) Walker. His daughters as well as two grandchildren, Ryan Miller and Austin Miller, survive him. Rest in Peace, Dad. We will miss you so very much!