Dr. Charles Patrick Oles

Dr. Charles Patrick "Pat" Oles 1926-2013 Dr. Charles Patrick "Pat" Oles, 86, of Amarillo, died peacefully in his beloved home at Palo Duro Club on Tuesday, March 26, 2013. Pat was born July 26, 1926, at St. Anthony's Hospital in Amarillo to Lawrence Maple Oles and Patty Alice Miller Oles. He graduated Amarillo High School in 1944 and entered the United States Navy the same year, serving honorably as Medical Corpsman until 1946. He attended the University of Texas at Austin from 1946 through 1949, and then entered the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. As a proud member of the graduating class of 1953, Dr. Oles received the foremost honor bestowed by the Southwestern Medical Foundation, the Ho Din Award, for his outstanding knowledge, understanding and compassion. His internship and surgical residency at UT Southwestern Medical School and Parkland Hospital was completed in 1959. Pat married his high school sweetheart Mary Martha Monning in Amarillo on August 20, 1949. Dr. and Mrs. Oles returned to Amarillo from Dallas in 1959, where he began his long, successful career as a general and vascular surgeon which continued through his retirement in 2000. He was honored to practice medicine along with the many distinguished physicians in his hometown for over forty years, and served as a trusted mentor and teacher to many. During his distinguished career, he was an active member of the Texas Surgical Society, Texas Medical Association, American College of Surgeons, and the Potter Randall County Medical Society. He held many leadership positions including former Chief of Staff at both Northwest Texas Hospital and St. Anthony's Hospital. Pat also proudly served for many years on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Amarillo and Trustee of the Bivins Foundation, and as a member of Phi Delta Theta at the University of Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Larry Miller Oles. Survivors include his loving, devoted wife of almost sixty four years, Mary Martha; a daughter, Kaki and husband Tom Vallee of Houston, two sons, Patrick Oles Jr. and wife Julie of Austin and David Oles and wife Cynthia of Plainview; two sisters, Mary Mike McKenzie of Aledo and Suzanne Hyatt and husband Mike of Amarillo. The grandchildren are Laine Vallee Balhoff and husband Michael, Sterling Oles, Brooke Oles, Patrick Oles III, Chris Oles and Allison Oles Cox; step grandchildren, Catherine Van Hersh and Rick Van Hersh and several nieces and nephews, along with his loyal friend and birddog, Blue. The family wishes to thank all our many dear friends and medical professionals who have blessed our lives and provided outstanding care for many years. We are especially grateful for being a part of the magnificent life of Pat Oles. Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 30, 2013, in Polk Street United Methodist Church with Dr. Burt Palmer and the Rev. Kevin Deckard officiating. Burial will be private. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Polk Street United Methodist Church, 1401 Polk St., Amarillo, TX 79101; or to a favorite charity. The family will receive friends from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday, March 29, 2013, at the funeral home. Sign the online guestbook at www.boxwellbrothers.com