Pat Harkins

James Patrick Harkins April 7, 1946 — March 27, 2025

Pat Harkins, 78, of Amarillo, TX, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 27, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. A private family service will be held. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Pat’s life at the home of Amy and Chance Irwin from 4:30 to 6:30 PM on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

Born in Enid, Oklahoma, Pat’s early years were spent in Hennessy, Oklahoma with his parents Raymond Francis Harkins and Jacqueline Elaine Johnston Harkins and his grandparents. Perhaps Pat’s fondest memories during this time were with Mimi and Grandpa, helping them “run” The Johnston Cafe.

Pat and his family moved to Amarillo, Texas where he attended Avondale Elementary, Crockett Junior High and finally Tascosa High School. Pat was an exceptional athlete, playing multiple sports growing up. It was at Tascosa where he became the star quarterback and safety for the Rebels during high school, earning himself three varsity letters from 1961 to 1963. According to Lance Lahnert, “The 1963 Rebs are in the argument for the Greatest Tascosa football team in school history, going 10-1-2.” Tascosa lost to Garland in the state semifinals 7-6. While the team fell slightly short of advancing to the state finals, Harkins charted an exceptional game recording a touchdown pass and snaring two interceptions. Garland went on to win the state championship the following week. Pat’s efforts as a key player on both offense and defense for the Rebels ultimately led to him being honored as The Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame’s 1967 Football Athlete of the Year and receiving multiple scholarship offers to play football at the collegiate level.

Upon graduation from high school, Pat accepted a full scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin. As a Longhorn, Pat earned a freshman letter as quarterback of the freshman team in 1964. Ultimately, he moved to starting safety from 1965 to 1967, earning three varsity letters under Coach Darrell Royal. Pat had an exceptional senior season where he led the team with five interceptions and 38 tackles. Of his many accomplishments on the Longhorn football team, perhaps the most impressive feat was his part in leading the team in tackles while playing in the secondary, a rare football statistic for a winning team. Pat secured his place on the Texas Longhorn All-Time Letterwinners list. During his time in Austin he also enjoyed being a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the Texas Silver Spurs. Pat was always the life of the party, had many, many friends, never met a stranger and was known for his late night shenanigans and party tricks.

After earning his Business Degree from the University of Texas in 1968, Pat accepted an assistant freshman coaching position the year the Longhorns won the Cotton Bowl. Pat’s blood forever bled burnt orange, however he knew it was time to hang up his cleats and to enter into an eight year business endeavor at IBM in Austin. He made many lifelong colleagues and friends during this time.

In 1972, Pat married Barbara Jeanine Oakley of Amarillo, and together they had three children: Chris, Matt and Amy. While Pat and Barbara enjoyed raising their small children in Austin, they couldn’t help but acknowledge their family roots calling them home. Pat loaded the family up and together they returned to Amarillo, where Pat purchased Western Industrial Supply Company from his father-in-law. Pat, over the years continued to successfully expand and grow the business to extend to Lubbock, Midland/Odessa and Abilene. Throughout his children’s upbringing, Pat coached countless numbers of their teams. Pat and Barbara were as supportive as two parents could be and never missed a single athletic event or important occasion involving their children. They continued to have many wonderful years together raising their children in the Amarillo Community. Pat and Barbara went on to have many loving grandchildren: Abby, Reagan, Riley, Jordan, Sophie, Addie Scott, and Bebe. These granddaughters were truly the apple of their eyes, all of whom followed in their footsteps to the University of Texas. Barbara passed away in 2002, but through Pat’s unwavering love and support of his family, her beloved legacy lives on.

An avid outdoorsman, Pat was happiest hunting, fishing, and spending time in the great outdoors. In 2002, Safari Club International notified Pat that his 18-foot, 1 inch crocodile harvested in Zimbabwe had established a new world record. In his hunting career he achieved the African “Big 5”, a group of animals that were historically considered the most challenging and dangerous to hunt in Africa. Pat enjoyed many years as a member of Ducks Unlimited and the Amarillo Safari Club. He absolutely loved the raffles and would delight in his frequent great luck at coming away from the banquets with a prize. Pat was an avid collector of all things. He never missed an Amarillo Gun Show and greatly enjoyed rummaging through garage sales, estate sales, auctions and pawn shops collecting treasures. He had an eye for antiques and briefly owned and operated Poor Boys Antiques in Clarendon, Texas. The old proverb couldn’t have rung truer for Pat, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

In 2014, Pat married Carole, and they enjoyed many happy years together. They especially loved traveling with family and friends to Santa Fe, Africa, Europe, and Maine. Through this marriage, another daughter Paige and two grandchildren entered his life. Pat was a guiding influence to Cannon and Casler and absolutely adored the new presence of grandsons around. Pat and Carole embraced spending time with all of their children and grandchildren. Carole shared Pat’s passion for sports, and together they adored their “new full time job” of attending all nine of their grandchildren’s games, matches and meets, never missing a single one of them.

Pat will be remembered most for his kindness, generosity, and unforgettable sense of humor. He loved creating nicknames for everyone—such as Mr. Brown Eyes, Archie, Manson, Beezer and Lover Boy, to name a few, each one a playful reflection of all those he adored. His quick wit and charm brought joy to those around him, and his humor was often cited as one of his most cherished qualities.

Wherever Pat went, he made a lasting impression—whether at a local diner (The Waffle House, La Campana, etc) or at the Sixth Street Harley Party, people knew and loved Pat. Humble to the core, he never spoke of his own accomplishments, preferring instead to celebrate the success of others. A man of few words, Pat chose to exemplify his faith in the Lord through service to others. As a dear friend put it, "Pat would give the shirt off his own back." His compassion extended beyond family and friends, as he was always willing to help those in need, supporting his community with quiet empathy. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, humility, and unconditional love.

Pat is lovingly remembered by his family, who will forever cherish his memory and the lessons he taught. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his wife Carole Marsh Harkins of Amarillo, TX; 

David Christopher Harkins and his wife, Joni Paul Harkins, and children, Abigail Harkins Barnes and husband, Beau Kenneth Barnes of Austin and Sophia Jane Harkins of Austin.

Matthew Scott Harkins and his wife, Cori Jane Harkins of Amarillo and their children, Reagan Harkins Vermillion and husband, Mitchell Trent Vermillion of Dallas, Riley Kay Harkins of Dallas and Jordan Lee Harkins of Lubbock.

Amy Harkins Irwin and husband, Chance Loomis Irwin of Amarillo and their children, Adeline Scott Irwin of Austin and Barbara Caroline Irwin of Austin.

Paige Brown Fielding and husband, Trace Terry Fielding of Dallas and their children, Cannon Trace Fielding and Casler Harkins Fielding of Dallas.

Pamela Rae Shively (Pat’s beloved sister) and husband, Timothy Patrick Shively and their children, Ashley Taylor Henderson and husband, Jeffrey Neal Henderson and their children, Avery Harper Henderson and Madison Hayes Henderson and Carson Foster Shively all of San Antonio.

The family would like to express gratitude to Dr. Gould, Dr. Keister, Dr. Agostini, Dr. Mooring, Dr. Stewart and the Baptist St. Anthony Hospice Southwest for their compassionate care, as well as to Shawn Morris, his caregiver, for her unwavering support.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to Faith City Mission, Heal the City or any charity of your choice.

HOOK ‘EM

Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.