Patrick Marsh "Pat" Bastian

1933 - 2021

Patrick "Pat" Marsh Bastian passed away on September 4, 2020, of natural causes, after a life well lived. The eldest son of Fred and Calla Bastian, and brother to Larry,
Pat was born on April 16, 1933, practically in the saddle. Just a month and half after his birth, Pat was in a swing on his mother's back, riding on her horse "Nochi" headed up to camp at "Double Buck Campground" the old ranger station. His mother loved to tell this story. Pat and Larry shared many fond memories of summers spent at the pack station in Lloyd Meadows as young boys. Their father once put them on a mule in between the pack mules on the trip from Lloyd Meadows to Willow Meadows. Pat was in front, to keep Larry "in line." Larry was three years old; Pat was five. Pat attended a one room schoolhouse until 8th grade, with one teacher and 14 children of all ages. He subsequently graduated from Porterville High School.
When not packing in the mountains, the family lived on 80 acres outside Porterville, where they raised livestock and wheat. Those days on the farm came to an end when World War II started. Pat proudly served his country in the Naval Reserve, where he was a member of the travelling drill team that laid fallen sailors to rest. The team would travel the country, and his first airplane ride was during his time in service. He served until after the end of the Korean War, always cherishing the memories – good and bad – of those days in service. Pat would spend the remainder of his days as an active member of the citrus industry, particularly packing, trucking, and developing a new packing house in Arizona.
Pat loved the Lord, his family and his pets. At least one or two dogs were always on the property, and Pat's faithful dog "Angus" was with him until the very end. Larry fondly remembers harmonizing with Pat as they would sing Irish songs together as young children. Large family gatherings were held at the Bastian property east of Exeter over the years, including several family weddings. Pat married Brenda Santry in 1960 and they would go on to have two beautiful children, Sean and Erin. Pat supported Brenda as she taught riding over the years, often to the local 4H club. His daughter Erin, on her Big Red, would win many a horse show over the years, and Pat proudly displayed all her medals and awards. Pat could often be found contentedly brushing down a horse or two in the evening, when he wasn't changing the sprinklers on his immaculate lawn. He was never without a pair of work gloves in his pocket, a cup of strong black coffee in his hand, and dressed in a pair of neatly pressed wranglers. A devout Christian, Pat and Brenda joined the Catholic Church in their later years.
Pat is survived by his daughter, Erin Belle Bastian, his brother Larry and his wife Irma, Larry's sons Nick (Jill) and Chris (Jamie) and their children.
Sean and Brenda predeceased Pat. He held strong to his faith that they would be reunited in heaven. Brenda rides across a pasture on her horse as Sean and Pat, lean lazily up against the fence, one boot hooked on the lowest rung, a cup of coffee in their hands and smiles on their faces.
A mass will be held on Friday, October 22, 2021, at 11:00 am, at Holy Cross Church, 1765 North Newcomb Street, Porterville. Services have been entrusted to Evans Miller Guinn Chapel, Exeter