Pat Henry, a trailblazing businesswoman, dedicated educator and committed civic leader, passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Lawton, Oklahoma.  Born Patricia Jean Streich on December 8, 1929, in Luling, Texas, Pat was a proud graduate of East Texas Baptist College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and Voice, with a minor in Piano. Beginning her school years in San Antonio, Texas and riding the street cars to school where she graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, Texas in 1947.

Pat played a significant role in the family-owned Gibson Discount Centers, contributing to its success from 1959 until her retirement in 2005. Destined to be a success, at the age of 12, she began keeping the books for her parents' wholesale sundry business. Her contributions to the business world were matched by her extensive involvement in civic and educational organizations.

Pat made history as the first woman to lead several major organizations, including the Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Association of the United States Army, Southwest Oklahoma Chapter and the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher from the United States Field Artillery Association. She was also the first woman to serve on the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board of Directors. The Oklahoma Federation of Business and Professional Women's Club awarded her in 1988 the "Rising Above the Ordinary Women of Achievement.

Her civic service was unparalleled. Pat was a dedicated member of the Oklahoma Heritage Association Board of Directors from 1995 to 1999, serving as Chairman from 2001 to 2003. She continued her leadership with the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the State of Oklahoma Economic Development Commission and the Quality-of-Life Task Force, where she helped develop long-term economic plans for the state.

Pat's contributions to education were profound. She served as President of the Oklahoma PTA from 1981 to 1983 and the National PTA President from 1991 to 1993.  As the President of the National PTA, she coined the motto "Children First" to be her focus.  Her involvement in PTA covered a thirty-five-year span from 1960 to 1995, championing the cause of public education and children's welfare. Her dedication was recognized through numerous awards, including the "Friend of Education" Award and the "Distinguished Service" Award from Cameron University.  She always said that all she wanted to do was be the school carnival chairman and take cookies and donuts to the kids.

Her involvement in civic and educational organizations was extensive. Pat served on the Southwest Oklahoma Mountain Metro Economic Development Task Force, State of Oklahoma Economic Development Commission, State of Oklahoma Commission on Reform of State Government, Governor's Advisory Committee for Education Block Grants, Governor's International Advisory Team, Oklahoma Advisory Council on Juvenile Justice, the Oklahoma Commission of Educational Associations and the Oklahoma Coalition for Public Education. She also played significant roles in local organizations, including the Lawton Planning Commission, the Lawton Metropolitan Planning Organization, City of Lawton Transportation Policy Committee, City of Lawton Investment Committee, Lawton Metropolitan Air Quality Committee, Comanche County Industrial Development Authority Board of Trustees, Lawton-Fort Sill United Way Board of Directors and twenty-four years on the Comanche County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees.

Pat's commitment to public service extended to her participation in national conferences and seminars, such as the First Presidential Library Conference where she was one of twelve people across the United States to be invited to speak, The Galaxy Institute for Education, the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference and the United States Army War College National Security Seminar. She was a founding board member of the Great Plains Technology Center Foundation, Pathway House, a halfway house for drug-dependent youth and served on the Oklahoma Academic Decathlon, Inc.

On April 27, 1987, Pat was awarded the prestigious "Alexis de Tocqueville Society" Award by the United Way at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Pat's accolades were numerous. She received honorary lifetime memberships from the National PTA and thirty-four state PTAs, as well as various awards recognizing her contributions to education, the arts and community service. The State of Oklahoma proclaimed June 15, 1993, as "Pat Henry Day", She received a Citation from the Senate of the State of Oklahoma in recognition of dedication and uncompromising service to children in June 1993 and the Lawton Public School System named Pat Henry Elementary School in her honor.  Her philanthropy was evidenced in significant contributions to Cameron University, East Texas Baptist College, Baylor University, Comanche County Memorial Hospital, Oklahoma Heritage Association, several churches, scholarships to all of the Lawton High Schools and many more.

Pat's personal life was equally fulfilling. She moved to Lawton in 1964 with her husband, T.J. Henry, who she married on August 27, 1949, in Mineola, Texas. Together they raised three children: Michael Wayne Henry, Mark Allen Henry and Marcia Henry Stockwell. When Pat and TJ moved to Lawton, they expected to be here a short while to open stores then move back to Texas.  She soon realized she'd never been in a community that did so much for others and knew that Lawton, OK, was the place they were meant to be to raise their family.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Debbie Henry and Mark and Lucinda Henry; her son-in-law, Dave Stockwell; grandchildren and their spouses, Staci Walker and Rick, Shelli Hart and Brian, Justin Henry and Morgan, Dillon Henry and Katelynn, MacKenzie Dennis and Ryan and Madison Clark and Johnathan and13 great grandchildren. A very special friend Ejigou Demissie and (wife) Nohora Rivero.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband, T.J.Henry, parents William (Willie) A. and Elizabeth Belle (Streetman) Streich, daughter Marcia Stockwell, parents In-Law Joe and Hazel (Croft) Henry, and brother Cecil Streich.

Memorial contributions may be made to Comanche County Memorial Hospital Foundation, 3401 W. Gore, Lawton OK 73505 and Lawton Public Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 2323, Lawton, OK 73502.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 25, 2024, in St. Andrew's Episcopal Church with The Rev. Stephanie Jenkins, Rector officiating.

Entombment will follow in the Chapel of Peace Mausoleum at Sunset Memorial Gardens under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

Friends may greet the family from 6-8 pm Wednesday at the funeral home.