Patricia Deere, formerly of Arlington, passed away Friday, Sept. 13, 2013. Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Arlington. A reception to visit and reminisce with Pat's family and friends will follow the service in the church parlor. Pat will be interred with her husband, Donald, in a private ceremony Thursday in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Pat was born Patricia Dibrell on Dec. 27, 1923, in Fort Stockton, the first child of Sam and Irene Dibrell. She grew up in Coleman with her sister, Emy, and her brother, Sam Jr. She graduated from Coleman High School where she was a drum major in the Blue Cat band. After leaving Coleman, she lived and worked for a time in San Antonio. Pat married Donald R. Deere of Breckenridge at First Methodist Church in Coleman on July 2, 1949. The couple lived in Dallas and she worked for GE. Pat and Don moved to Arlington in 1955 before the birth of their only child, a son, Donald Jr., on the day prior to her birthday of that year. She enjoyed motherhood very much, staying home to raise their son. Pat began taking classes at Texas Wesleyan College in 1966. She continued with classes at Tarrant County Junior College and then at UT-Arlington. She earned her bachelor's degree in history from UTA in 1972. She then took six hours towards a master's degree before taking a job in the administration offices of the Arlington Independent School District. Pat returned to UTA and obtained her teaching certification in 1976. She then joined the faculty of Lamar High School where she taught history for 12 years, retiring in 1988. After retirement, Pat enjoyed her three grandsons immensely, occasionally working as a substitute teacher when it was time to take them to what they knew as "Toys for Us." She was a charter member of the Arlington Woman's Club, was active for many years in the Lamar Retired Teachers' Association, and was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Arlington and its Wesley Progressors Sunday School Class. After almost 57 years in Arlington, Pat spent the last two years living with her sister in Austin and then near her son and his family in College Station. She was preceded in death by her parents brother and husband. Survivors: Son, Donald Jr. and wife, Patsy, and their sons, Derek, Dustin and Dawson; sister, Emy McLellan; and many nephews and nieces.
Published in Star-Telegram on September 18, 2013