Thomas William Patrick, Jr. was born on September 3, 1938, in Oberlin, Louisiana. Tom, to those of us who knew and loved him, went back to meet his Maker on March 26, 2026. Tom will surely be missed.

After high school Tom served in the United States Army from 1962 to 1965, and moved to Fort Worth, Texas to manage a Bausch and Lomb Eyeglass facility. After several years Tom founded Patrick Optical in 1980 where he became famous among the medical community for custom made eyewear. Tom met people from all over the world and from all walks of life while he owned and operated Patrick Optical, and he and his wife Linda Patrick knew and were friends with lots of people, including some of us from Upshur County. Tom and Linda moved to Gilmer in 1996, which is where many of us came to know Tom. Tom was President of the Gilmer Chamber of Commerce and was an active member for several years. Later in life he was active in the Holly Lake Ranch Kiwanis Club and the Holly Lake MGA. Tom was very civic-minded. Tom not only was handsome and dapper, but he was also above all things polite, courteous and generous, and without fail always put the needs of others before his own comfort. Tom enjoyed Buckeye football, RV trips to Colorado each summer for over 20 consecutive years and was an avid golfer. Tom always added a little class to the group whenever he joined in. Tom was always a ray of sunshine wherever he went, and anybody who knew him would tell you he was the best friend they ever had. I had the personal privilege of knowing him and Linda since 1994.

Tom is survived by his wife Linda Patrick; his son Myron Keith Patrick and wife Lesa; a stepson Leslie Lane Stanfield; a brother, Jerry Billy Patrick and wife

Elaine; a sister Lucy Carroll Andreas and husband Bill; grandson Jacob Keith Patrick; step grandson Tyler William Patrick; along with two great grandchildren, Breanna Nicole Hall and Dustin Lane Jones. Mr. Patrick was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas W. Patrick, Sr. and Lucille (Sonnier) Patrick.

Tom Patrick was the genuine article, guaranteed for life. His word was his bond. As the Apostle Paul told his young disciple Timothy, Tom fought the good fight and finished his course. Tom left everything a lot better than the way he found it.

Todd Tefteller