Patrick "Pat" Elwood

Pat was born September 6, 1961 in Oklahoma City to Beryle and Louise Elwood. He passed away Friday, February 13, 2026 after a long battle with cancer. Pat graduated high school from Moore High School, Class of 1979. He was baptized as a child at Southwest Christian Church, Oklahoma City. Pat attended University of Oklahoma, where he earned a Bachelor degree in Finance as well as a Master degree in Business Administration. Pat had a strong work ethic, working and saving his whole life, starting with a newspaper route, as well as loading for UPS during college. His adult career began at Anderson Consulting installing large computer systems and programming. Later, he worked with Fleming, Hertz, the State of Oklahoma where he was the Chief Technology Officer and retired in 2016 working for Chickasaw Nation.

Throughout his life, Pat remained friends with his high school classmates. Time was always set aside for this group, from weekly basketball pickup games in college and then golf as they started their careers, to meeting every Friday night at Louie's. This group of friends and the families they all created have remained dedicated to each other for almost 50 years, with Pat often being the driving force. Even more significant was Pat's dedication to his nieces and nephews. He was always interested in what they were doing, encouraging them to reach their goals, and offering advice even if it was a book to read. Like a beloved uncle, he sometimes gave them goals and small money incentives to do silly things their parents never would, like jumping into 40-degree water, among other crazy stunts.

Pat married Connie Gitthens on May 19, 1990. Prior to their marriage he asked her to read The Road Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck. Connie will laughingly say that he decided to marry her only after she told him she loved the book too. They often referred to the tenets of this book during their nearly 36 years of marriage. On October 2, 1995, Pat and Connie were blessed with a daughter, Allison Marie, whom he deeply loved.

Besides being a big OU and Thunder fan, Pat totally embraced the hobby of woodworking in his retirement. He made tables, cabinets, a really fancy dog crate for Rue, entertainment center, even bought a boat kit, yes, he made a 14' motorboat! They named it "Alli Marie". Pat was innovating in including Allison in his projects, and Connie helped too. As a family, they enjoyed traveling. Some of their favorite spots were Colorado, California, Florida and Alabama. This last year, they drove and enjoyed all the sights on the way to Seattle where they took a cruise to Alaska. Pat did most of the planning of the trips, figuring out all the logistics to accommodate Allison. Pat had a great smile and sense of humor, teasing his high school guys and his nieces and nephews. Pat stood tall at 6'6" and was affectionately called "The Mutant". Connie remembers their first home was called "Mutant Manor". He was also known as "Computer Geek".

Pat was preceded in death by his father, Beryle and niece, Faith Worthy.

He is survived by his mother, Louise Marie Ruttman Elwood, Connie and Allison, brother Greg Elwood (Terra), sister Jan Worthy (Curtis), brother-in-law Jerry Gitthens (Steffani). Nieces and nephews: Taryn Trammell (Jordan), Katie Worthy, Austin Worthy, Tyler Gitthens and Conner Gitthens as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Services will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 2:00pm at St. Andrews Community Church GMC, 2727 SW 119 St, Oklahoma City. Officiated by Rev. D.A. Bennett. Pallbearers are his high school friends: Roger DiSalvatore, Ed Autry, Rick Miller, Lee Mayhew, Steve Buckner and Greg Lynch. Graveside services will follow at Resthaven Cemetery, 500 SW 104 St, Oklahoma City.

Pat previously served on the Executive Board for The Sparrow Project, an organization for which his family supports and benefits. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Sparrow Project: www.sparrowproject.net or PO Box 6858, Moore, OK 73153.