William Patrick “Pat” Coursey was born March 15, 1940, in Abilene to Clark C. Coursey and Melba Fisher Coursey. He passed from this life on August 7, 2023, at the age of 83. The Coursey family moved to Brownwood when Pat was 3 months old.
Pat married Blenda Wheeler Coursey on December 26, 1969, and they spent 53 1/2 years together and were always traveling together to conventions and other places.
Pat was a printer by trade but had many more extended interests. He and his brother Sam bought Banner Printing from their parents in 1976 along with The County Progress Magazine which is the official publication of the County Judges and Commissioners of the State of Texas. They owned and operated the magazine until 1995 when they sold it to Zachary and Associates in Abilene. They continued with the printing business until 2013 when they closed the business. Pat started working for Brownwood Banner and Printing during the summer of his 4th grade year. He started out sweeping floors. He treasured the years working with the Judges and Commissioners Association and all the friends he made during those years he was editor, manager, writer, and photographer for the magazine. He went to five conventions a year all in different parts of the state and never missed one in the years he ran the magazine. He was awarded the Non-County Official of the Year the last year he owned the magazine.
Pat was an avid photographer, and his photographs can be seen in several homes and businesses in the area. He was one of the founding members of the Photography Club here and was also Photographer of the year for the photo club. He was artist of the year in 2017 for the Brownwood Art Association. Even in his last weeks, he loved riding around and photographing the birds in our area.
Pat served on boards for the surrounding area including Historical Commission for Brown County, Brown County Historical Society (lifetime member) and Hospital Authority Board, While Chairman of the Historical Commission, he was the one who negotiated with Brown County to make the Old Jail a museum. There was talk the commissioners wanted a new parking lot there. He was very proud of what the museum has developed into. He was originally discouraged to try to do this, but he had a streak in him where if he thought something was right, he was going to do it for all the people in the county and area.
Pat was also on the committee to secure the property from Margret and Francis Lehnis to establish the Railroad Museum near the depot where the old granary was located.
Pat was very honored to be appointed by the City of Brownwood as the councilman from Ward 3, where he served for 21 years.
During this time the city was working on their 20-year master plan and one of the things they did was revitalize downtown Brownwood. When the old Penney’s building was demolished and they were in a quandary as to what to do with it, Pat suggested a downtown city park with restrooms where out of town people could come downtown and enjoy all the shops and things downtown. With the help of his former secretary, the city agreed to rename Center Park and make it Pat Coursey Park. He was thrilled when the citizens started doing more downtown and using the park in his name. He delighted in seeing the news and all the events happening at his park. He was very pleased with the recent updates to the park.
He helped bring the sewage treatment plant up to standard and often joked that the only place he would leave his name on a plaque was at the Sewer Treatment plant.
Pat was instrumental in getting Fabis Park to be what it is today. He, the city manager, and Mr. Fabis worked out the plans for the park.
He loved Riverside Park and the disc golf course. He was close to 70 when the doctor told him he needed to exercise, so he took up disc golf. With the help of his friend, Rick McNutt, PDGA they were able to plot and arrange with the city for the back nine holes to make it an 18-hole disc golf course. For a man of his age, he was good at the game and helped newcomers to learn the game and enjoy it like he did. He and his friend Don Foster played every day they could until Don’s death.
Pat was the second person to be appointed to the Central Texas Council of Governments and served two terms as president of that organization, traveling as far as Washington DC and San Francisco to represent the Council of Governments and Brownwood.
Pat was also a proud Jaycee in his younger years. He and his friend Roy Pender spent many hours and days traveling to other cities to learn about the Rattlesnake Roundups. He and Roy were the driving force behind the annual roundup here and Pat even introduced the “Wildcat show”. If you don’t know what that means, just talk to one of the old time Jaycees here and they can explain it. He oversaw the Wildcat show as long as he was a Jaycee.
Pat is survived by his wife Nelle of 53 1/2 years; Daughter Alicia Coursey and husband Robert Scarboro of Pflugerville; grandchildren Wesley Kalk, wife Sarah; Jacob Kalk, wife Hannah; Amber Sansom, husband Chase; and Patrick Tanner Coursey; great grandchildren Jaxon, Judah, Brylie, Mavryk, Axyl, Liam, and Kinley; nephews and nieces: Matthew Coursey, wife Jessica; Dr. Lauren Coursey and husband Jesse; Teresa Jayroe; Raelyn Edwards, David Wheeler, wife Angela; Chad Wheeler, Jackie Neff, husband Dan; Roger Adams, wife Becky; and James Adams, wife Grace.
Pat was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Carrie Mechaele Coursey, son Gary Patrick Coursey, brother Sam Coursey, sister-in-law Ann Jayroe, brothers-in-law Roger Adams and Kennith Wayne Wheeler, plus several close cousins and a host of friends. Special friends Rick McNutt, Roger Engle. Roger Levesque, Craig Seger, Brad Bradley, and other members of the Art Association and Photo Group.
It was Pat’s wishes to be cremated and have a Celebration of life service at a later date. This will be October 7 with the time and location to be determined. The family will let everyone know the date and time when this happens.
It was Pat’s request instead of flowers, please make memorials to The Top of Texas Corgi Rescue Inc. c/o Gail Hefley 8708 Circle Dr. Amarillo, TX 79110 or to the charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank Dr. Tammy McCullough, Dr. Tom Byrd; Dr. Daniel Altstatt, Dr. Soloman and Dr. Blanc, and Ivy Steele for all their help with his many illnesses and their kindness toward him.
Condolences, memories, and tributes can be offered to the Coursey family at heartlandfuneralhome.com.