Memories of my father and SMU

[George S. Patton]

My Mustang family,
I wanted to let you know that my father Vincent passed away after a lengthy illness. He was 85.

Vincent is the reason I came to SMU in 1987. When I was in high school he and I toured many schools across the southwest for two years before SMU became the choice. I was never so proud to honor him bc he made so many great sacrifices for me to get my degree in 1991.

He was banker for 50 years and his travels took him to minneapolis - where he was born and raised -- was a tail gunner in B-29s and B-25s in WW II. He was not on the missions but he was in the squadron that dropped fat man and little boy --- Duluth, the Bay area and the southwest. I was his last child.

He wad a graduate of the university of Minnesota and that's why I love the Gophers. He was married to my mom for 43 years when she died in 1995.

At SMU I think of those parents weekends and the commencement. I looked at when I got my degreee and I'll always remember his smile that day. He lived a great life and my family will bury him next week.

I said my peace with him on Aug. 9 and I am thankful I was with him at the end.

I loved my father deeply and his gift to me to attend SMU is something I can never repay except with thanks. And that was fine with him.

His race is over. It was well run.
I know I can be a horses butt at times - I get that from him bc he was opinionated - but we are a family. Don't pray for me but pray that he has found his destination.

Go Mustangs! Ski U Mah!


On his deathbed I told him that Smu may have a chance to go to bowl this year. Knowing our struggles and half out of it, he simply said "no"

[Ralph]

Condolences to you General Patton and your dad can now join your mom in a place much more peaceful and serene than our Aina.

[kull]

sincere condolences on the loss of your father.

[BIGHORSE]

Sorry for the loss of your Father, General your in my thoughts and prayers.

[White Helmet]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[mr. pony]

God Bless, General.

[SmooBoy]

Peace be with you and your family.

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

Sorry about your loss General.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Sorry about your dad, sounds like you will have some beautiful memories, to be thankful for.

[SMU 86]

My prayers are with you and your family.

[EastStang]

As I said in the other post, its tough to lose one's dad. Take your time and don't worry that you are grieving. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[MidlandMustang]

It sounds like you and your father had a very loving and close relationship. God bless and hang in there.

[ponyte]

My deepest sympathies to you and your family during this time. The loss of one so close and dear is always difficult. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[KnuckleStang]

Awful sorry to hear about that. Glad he kept his sense of humor to the end. hang in there

[StallionsModelT]

I'm really sorry to hear that. Prayers to you and your family.