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Patrick McConal Obituary
Funeral: 2 p.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Bryan. Visitation: 10 a.m. to noon Friday at the funeral home. Viewing: 1 to 1:30 p.m. Friday at the church. Cremation to follow. Inurnment: Bryan Cemetery.
Mr. McConal was a native of Bryan, but spent his early childhood in Fort Worth, where he lived for a period two years ago.
McConal was publications coordinator for the Texas Transportation Institute, a division of Texas A&M.
He received his bachelor of science degree from Texas A&M in 2002 and was working on his master's thesis for a degree in history at Sam Houston State University.
He was the eldest son of retired Star-Telegram reporter and columnist Jon McConal. Patrick McConal was author of "Over the Wall," the story of the escape of eight Texas Death Row inmates from Huntsville State Prison, a feat engineered by the notorious Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker.
McConal was considered to be a budding expert of Texas crime history in the 1930s.
He graduated from Bryan High School.
Survivors: Wife, Pamela of Bryan; sons, Morgan, a submariner stationed with the U.S. Navy out of Guam and Brady of Bryan; daughter, Maegan Sowder and husband, Larame of Bryan; father and stepmother, Jon and Jane McConal of Granbury; brother, Kevin McConal of Glen Rose; mother-in-law, Lydia Luza of Bryan; numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law; and aunts, uncles and cousins.
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Memories and Condolences
for Patrick McConal
Sponsored by Bobby and Patty Luza & Family.
Maegan
March 25, 2025
I miss you Daddy.
steve tate
May 25, 2010
I am at a loss for words. I wish I had kept better track of you my friend while I could. You have been and will always be my friend. Godspeed to you til we meet again. Steve Tate
ron england
May 12, 2010
To my friend Pat will always remember our times in school an band now God has you to keep him laughing. your friend RON England
Lydia Fojtik Luza
September 4, 2007
It is still very hard for me to talk about Patrick; He was loved like a son.He was so young when he married Pam. I watched him mature and become a very loving,caring father and husband. All my grandkids followed him like he was the pied piper; he was always the fun "Uncle" to hang with. I still truly miss him. We all do. I'll be seeing you,Pat.
A mother-in-law that loved you, lydia luza
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George Wier
January 22, 2007
I will never forget apt words spoken over barbecue smoke, a quick laugh, and forbearance for another's shortcomings. I miss you, old mentor, old friend. I could say many things about you, but what I'd give to hear you laugh one more time.
Jimmy Ray GILLMAN
January 13, 2007
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
I had the Honor to have met Pat only once that I can remember & had him to sign my copy of his book. This was @ the B&C festival in Gibsland 2000.
I had hoped to get back in contact for his help to compliment my research which we were doing around the same time.
We both had a Great friend in Martha Palmer who also will be greatly missed. I know in my heart that Pat would have shared his research & helped me in anyway he could have. So I am also at a great lost in his passing.
I know we all were hoping that he might do a 2nd book since his 1st one was of Quality & excellent writing.
I will miss you Patrick & the interview that I will never get.
All of my Love
Bob Goldstein
September 29, 2006
Dear Bunky and Jane,
We are so sorry to discover that Pat had passed away. We never had the pleasure of meeting Pat, but Jon (Bunky) was my roommate in Fort Worth many years ago, and Pat must have been a fine man and a tragedy to have left the earth at such an early time in his life. Our heartfelt, belated sympathy to the entire family.
Bob & Candy Goldstein
Brady McConal
July 22, 2006
In loving memory of my Dad. Thank you all.
Bobby and Patty Luza & Family
July 21, 2006
Patrick,
You were a great friend as well as brother-in-law. I have missed the conversations we would have when we were together. Brother, you are missed. My children always were glad to be around you and hear the stories you would tell. You were a good husband to Pam and father to your children. I was proud to tell folks you were my brother-in-law, even though, I felt you were more than that. Thanks for the good times and discussions. Love you brother.
Jessica Franklin
August 10, 2005
To the McConal Family:
Words can not begin to express how truly sorry I am for your loss. Pat was a truly unique individual and I will miss him terribly. I can't tell you how blessed I am for having had the opportunity to work on "Over the Wall" with him, as well as 17 years working with him at TTI. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. With deepest sympathies ~ Jess
Nada Trout
August 5, 2005
Pat will be missed by all of his TTI family. My prayers are with all his friends and family. He was truly a wonderful person, always friendly, and a joy to be around type of person. He will be sadly missed.
Dan Walker
August 4, 2005
Pam,
I'm so sorry for you and your family. Pat and I started with TTI about the same time in the early eighties. We instantly became good friends. We did allot of things together through the years, to many to write all down, but the ones that come right to mind were we were always horseshoe partners, war games team, bungee jumpers
to mention just a few. We were friends, I will miss my friend.
Sincerely, Dano-
Bob Fischer
August 2, 2005
Pat was an extremely nice guy, not to mention an excellent researcher and author. His "Over The Wall" is the definitive book on the 1934 Huntsville breakout. We very much enjoyed meeting both Pat and his wife Pam at the '98 PIC Bonnie and Clyde gathering. Our condolences.
Sincerely, Bob and Renay
Bonnie Duke
August 2, 2005
Pam,
I know we just met at the visitation last week, but I knew instantly why Pat loved you so much. You are as kind he was. Anytime I ran into Pat I could always count on a big smile and a "what's up?!" Pat meant so much to us here at TTI. I can't even begin to tell you how many times over the years he went the extra mile for us. Not because he had to, but because he wanted to. That is just the kind of person he was. He will be missed in so many ways. May God bless you and your children during this difficult time.
Jose A Grimaldo Jr
July 30, 2005
We all grew up together in the Bryan school systems. We develop friendships and relationships along the way. I first met Pat starting the band in 7th grade. Apparently he always sought the impossible because at such a small stature he wanted to take up the trombone...and he did. I'm not sure when we all went our own ways and took different paths, but from what I have heard you made a difference along yours. A legacy your children, wife, and family should be very proud of. All my best to the McConal Family.
Kim Miller
July 29, 2005
Pat-
Thanks for your perspective and your ability to provide a moment of clarity in the middle of a frenetic work day. I will so miss the random, one-line email from you that simply states: "I'm thinkin' chili Friday," to which I would reply "I'm down!" Your life was blessed with Pam, your children, family and so many friends. We were all blessed to know you.
Tina Weido
July 29, 2005
What an honor to have been your friend.
Joe Bauske
July 29, 2005
For Pam and all of the family: May the Lord hold you gently and help you in this time of grief and the Lord will hold Pat gently until that sure and glorius time when we shall all be re-united with him.
Jim Knight
July 29, 2005
I met Pat in 1998 at the first PIC meeting in Dallas. It took about 2 minutes to realize that he really loved this Texas history stuff. Pat worked hard at his research, and didn't just rehash the same old things. He came up with truly new sources of information. More importantly, he was generous with his material, his experience, and his advice. I personally owe him a great debt since his suggestions were crucial to the publication of my own book.
Pat was a good friend, a writer and historian who was very good at what he did, and a generous colleague who left us much too soon.
P. S. Pat, you were right. They always go home.
Jim
Randy Lish
July 29, 2005
Pat,
I guess the Lord had some research that needed to be done and you were the best person for the job. Thanks for your friendship and the long telephone conversations, I will miss all of that. See you on the other side Pat.
Beth Mathis
July 29, 2005
Pam,
Our hearts are hurting and there will be such a void in our lives. But we are all so blessed to have had Pat in our lives. For my husband Roy & me, there will always be the memory of making (and eating tamales!) at Dolores Hott's home. What an experience! May God bless you and your family and hold you up through this time.
Becca Simons
July 29, 2005
Pam,
Pat was well loved and respected by his TTI family. He will be missed beyond words but never forgotten. I will continue to pray for you, the family and your close friends that are surrounding you during this time.
Katie Womack
July 29, 2005
To Pat’s Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Pat was a very kind and helpful co-worker, and a real pleasure to know. I will surely miss his presence at TTI.
Penny Beaumont
July 29, 2005
Roger and I send our deepest sympathies to all those who mourn Pat. He was a generous, hardworking and very congenial colleague who will be sorely missed by all of us at TTI.
John Bills
July 29, 2005
To Jon Bunky and Kevin,
I am sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
For Patrick,
I enjoyed that small part of the path that we walked together. It seems that only recently we were surveying creation from that Colorado mountaintop. May God Bless you and Keep you.
Eddie McCartney
July 28, 2005
Pat, may you rest in peace where there is no more pain. Pam - stay strong as he would not want it any other way & always look forward for he will forever be in front of you now.
Nancy Pippin
July 27, 2005
Dear Pat,
We will miss you dearly. You always had a good story to tell. You were more like a brother to me. You always stuck by me in the problem times. May GOD bless your soul, then keep your family together with your spirit. Nancy
Debra Svec
July 27, 2005
Pam,
There just isn't anything to say that covers the loss that is felt here at work. I can't imagine the loss you and the family are feeling at this time. We are so very sorry. Please, always remember that we are here and always will be if any of you need anything at all.
May God Bless and give you all the strength you need to make it through this most painful time in your lives.
Michelle Hoelscher
July 27, 2005
For Pat...
Our dear, unique friend, colleague, chili master & author.
His enthusiasm for history & outlaws was contagious...and educated those of use who normally would not have embarked on the subject. We could not help getting wrapped up in his adventures to where the old west and depression era outlaws once roamed.
We will all miss your many recounts of interviews had with many a legendary villain...and I for one am certain they were more colorful hearing them from Pat and not the horses mouth.
In remembering Pat today I "Googled" him...of course his book "Over the Wall" came up on Amazon.
Clyde and Pamela Hagood
July 26, 2005
Jon, Jane and entire McConal Family, we are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts at this difficult time. PDHH
Lydia Mousner
July 25, 2005
Patrick will be missed by so many. His enthusiasm and generosity was contagious. He was a loving husband to Pam and a wonderful father to his children. It was evident that Pat's father meant the world to him. We will greatly miss him!
Sid Underwood
July 25, 2005
I was so sorry to read about Pat. I enjoyed his colorful enthusiasm concerning his writing and was proud to be listed as a reference for his book. My sincere condolences to all the family.
Sid Underwood
Kathi Miller
July 24, 2005
I'm awfully sorry. Patrick is gone way too soon.
Nancie & Don Day
July 24, 2005
Please allow us to expess our shock and sadness at the news of Patrick's death. Our hearts and prayers go out to you.
With much love and affection,
Don and Nancie Ross-Day
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