Patrick Paul Brinkley was born on November 22, 1941 to Henry and Clarice (Davenport) Brinkley. Pat passed away on November 1, 2025. He was 83 years old. Pat was a proud native of Nederland, Texas. He graduated from Nederland High School in 1960 and was a member of the 1957 Nederland Bulldog Football State Championship team. A class favorite, Pat was the Senior Class President and the Nederland High School representative at Boy’s State. After high school, Pat played football for Tyler Junior College and was a member of the 1960 National Championship team. Pat finished his football career at University of Texas at El Paso where he played for the legendary Bum Phillips. Pat returned to Nederland where he married his high school sweetheart, Linda McGown. They were married for 61 years and had three children, Dean, Dan and Carrie. Pat graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Lamar University and had a long career with General Foods in sales and marketing. Pat had a lifelong passion for weight-lifting and throughout his adult life could be found almost daily at one of the local gyms. Pat was a consummate outdoorsman. He could identify almost any plant or tree and most of the local birds. Pat developed a love for archery and helped to found the local Field and Stream Bow Hunters Association of Mid-County. Over the years, Pat achieved state-wide recognition for his excellence in archery having competed and won in statewide archery tournaments numerous times. Later in life, Pat took up competitive pistol shooting where he again succeeded in routinely winning matches well into his 70’s.
Pat was known for his affable personality and his penchant for joke telling. He genuinely loved people and enjoyed time spent with friends and family. As “Paw Paw” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren he was the master story teller and was always in high demand at family functions.
His faith and love for God was evident in the love he showed for his family and friends. Pat always found the positive in people and in life. Although he was not a handy man – he was always willing to lend his muscles to move or lift anything.
Pat was preceeded in death by his parents, Henry and Clarice Brinkley, and his sister, JoAnn Norton. Pat is survived by his sister, Betty Doerr; his wife, Linda Brinkley; his children, Dean Brinkley and wife, Margaret, Dan Brinkley and wife, Pam, Carrie Perkins and husband, Courtney; his grandchildren, Austin Brinkley, LeAnne Williams, Jacob Brinkley, Sarah Pillitere, Matthew Brinkley, Michael Brinkley, and Noah Perkins; and his great grandchildren, Gaines Williams and Mallory Williams.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Golden Triangle Church on the Rock, located at 6355 U.S. 69 Access Road, Beaumont, Texas on Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 12:00pm until 1:00pm with the funeral service to begin at 1:00pm. Interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches.
Pat will be missed terribly, remembered fondly and loved always.