Patrick Hunter Eskew

Patrick Hunter Eskew, 78, of Midland, Texas, went to be with his Lord on August 16, 2025. Patrick was born in Midwest City, Oklahoma, to Harry Garvin Eskew and Elizabeth Mathilda Dragoo on July 3, 1947. His mother always said he was so eager to enter this world that he couldn't wait the two hours it would have taken to be a firecracker. Patrick was one of six children-five brothers and one sister: Harry, Mary, John Charles (Joe), Benjamin Michael (Mike) and William (Billy). He lived in Alexandria, Louisiana, until the age of three, when the family moved to El Paso, Texas. Patrick attended Hacienda Elementary School in Ysleta and later Bel Air High School, where he sang with the Coraliers and the Highland Lads. He went on to study Vocal Music at Texas Western College (later the University of Texas at El Paso), performing in several operas, including Madama Butterfly. He graduated from UTEP in 1969 but was already teaching music at Del Norte Elementary, where he met his future wife, Kay Lynn Ray. A few years later, Patrick replaced his former choir teacher at Bel Air High School. During the following years, he earned a master's degree in mid-management from UTEP and moved to Wylie, Texas, near Abilene, where he led choirs and ensembles to 27 state-level honors. His award-winning groups competed at the Greater Southwest and in events across California. In 1990, Patrick moved to the Midland-Odessa area, teaching at several schools, serving as Fine Arts Director at Milam Magnet School, and working as an administrator. Throughout his career, Patrick was deeply involved in church music, serving as worship pastor at several churches in the El Paso area. If he wasn't directing, he was singing. At one point, while building a school's vocal program, he also taught band and directed a Sweet Adelines chorus. Patrick loved making music, but he cherished his family even more. He and Kay were married in a "Broadway-esque," music-filled ceremony at Grace Methodist Church in Ysleta on June 16, 1972. They became the proud parents of Owen Hunter Eskew in 1975 and Alan Garvin Eskew in 1979. Because he never had a daughter, Patrick was elated when Owen married Jennifer McCoy in 1996, giving him a "daughter of the heart." His joy multiplied with the arrival of four grandsons: Samuel (1998), Benjamin (2001), Timothy (2009), and Zebedee (2011). Along the way, Stephen Whipple, Jonathan Merritt, and Jeremy Gryder became "adjunct" sons. A natural builder and problem-solver, Patrick turned his "engineering" mind to woodworking in retirement, crafting cabinets, bookcases, storage, and countless other items for schools and churches. He supported Kay's passion for rescuing animals by building three catteries-one with his son and all four grandsons. He also enjoyed tinkering, installing a sprinkler system in the yard, and tending a garden for many years. Patrick was a member of First Baptist Church Odessa for more than 30 years, where he attended Sunday School and sang in the choir. He accepted Christ as his Savior at age six and was baptized at Loma Terrace Baptist Church in Ysleta. His faith began at home, sitting on the piano bench next to his mother, singing hymns as she played. Patrick is survived by his wife, Kay; two sons; daughter-in-law; four grandsons; his brothers; many nieces and nephews; step-sister-in-law, Jay-Ann Rucker-Price; and dear friends Bart and Ellen Kennedy. He is reunited in heaven with his parents; in-laws Owen and Gerry Ray, Anne Rucker Ray; his sister, Mary Williams; his sister-in-law, Cathie Eskew; nephew, John Eskew; and his dear friends, Clovis and Cathy Brown, in worshipping at the feet of Jesus. Memorial services will be held at American Heritage Funeral Home on FM 1788 on August 23, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. There will be no viewing and no inurnment. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to the First Baptist Church Choir, Hillcrest School, The Christian Broadcasting Network, or an animal rescue of your choice.

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Patrick Hunter Eskew

July 3, 1947 - August 16, 2025