Patrick Pape's Light

The Friday news cast showed Patrick Pape's picture.  The anchorwoman said his body had been found in shallow water in South Concho Park.  Not the always smiling Patrick from Community Health Club?  What?  How? Why?

Internet searches provided virtually no information, other than a few details on when he'd gone missing.  I posted something Saturday afternoon..  Having watched a Central Swim Team alumni meet, I couldn't envision Patrick drowning. Yet, the unthinkable happened. 

Patrick Pape's light shone brightly, especially at the Central pool and Community Health Club.  That's all I should've written.

Peace be to Patrick Pape. God be with family and friends during this tragic time.


Update 11-10 --Johnson's funeral home posted Patrick Jack Pape's obiturary.  Visitation with the family will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at Johnson's Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, November 12, in Johnson's Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Ricky Burk, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating, assisted by cousin Rev. Brian Pape of Flower Mound, Texas.  GoSanAngelo published Patrick's obituary, as well.


Update 11-12-10--The funeral honored Patrick's life.  Those who loved him turned out in droves.  Family pictures were poignant and moving.  I learned Patrick loved the Bible, baseball and willingly listened to other's problems.  Yet, Patrick found inspiration in other religious teachings, especially Hinduism.  Scripture hinted at Patrick's final struggle on this plane, "broken hearted and crushed in spirit."  What can we learn from the man who willingly listened, yet felt so terribly alone and abandoned?

The outpouring of support could be seen at Johnson's Funeral Home. It's on his Facebook page, even via this blog.  People visited more than 600 times.  They came from 77 cities in 24 U.S. states and three countries, Canada, England and Germany.

I knew the smiling, happy, "world by the tail" Patrick Pape.  That's who was honored and buried.  Yes, Patrick's spirit is with Jesus, experiencing the peace that passeth all understanding.  Might Christ's first word to him have been Namaste?