The retriever community lost a good one today. Patrick McHale was murdered outside his home in Navasota this afternoon.

He was a true professional in this sport of ours and a genuinely good person. Pat always had a smile on his face, a bawdy joke to tell along with a strong opinion. You always knew where you stood with Pat.

There was nothing Pat or Michelle wouldn't do for you if you asked. Pat and Michelle gave back much more then they took from this sport.

Pat was a wonderful retriever trainer and snake charmer. Last year he turned over his snake charming duties to Wayne. He even called me after our clinic to see if Wayne, "Did a good job by yall?" He was always covering his bases and did what he said he was going to.

Rest in Peace dear friend,,, Until we meet at the line again.

~Angie

I talked a lot with Pat this past weekend at the Rose Country test. He was his normal self laughing and joking with everybody as he always does. When we were leaving he was saying that he had to go home and put up with his neighbor that he was having problems with him. He didn't go into detail about anything. Rest in Peace Pat. U will be missed greatly. Here is a link to the story

http://m.navasotaexaminer.com/mobile/news/article_df00d122-067e-11e2-827a-0019bb2963f4.html

He will will be missed. God bless him!

That's terrible, thoughts and prayers go out to his family

That's just terrible. He snake trained Mack out at Angie's several years ago for me.

That's terrible loss. Pat was a good man, we'llmiss him.

Robby

+1. This is a crazy world we live in.

Condolences to his family and many friends.

I was just at his place . Can't believe it

Pat will be greatly missed by many. RIP Pat. Praying for his family and close friends.

UPDATE: The Grimes County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man in connection with Monday's homicide.
Grimes County Sheriff Don Sowell said that with help from the Texas Department of Public Safety, James Bundage was arrested in connection to the shooting. Sowell said Bundage was taken into custody without incident near the original crime scene.
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http://www.theeagle.com/article/20120925/BC0101/120929700/1103/bc20/&slId=1

I read about it on another forum late lastnight and it pretty much took the breathe out of me. Pat's an awesome guy and will be greatly missed.

R.I.P. my friend,

Jason, Christy, Paxton and Whipple.

I did not know him but what a shame to take a life over a property line dispute. Prayers up for his family.

I hope they hang that guy by the balls

OH MY...I can't believe this story. This is horrible!

The services for Pat McHale will be held on Thursday, September 27th. Visitation from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. Funeral service at 2:00pm at Christ Our Life Catholic Church, 9677 Highway 6, Navasota, Texas. Arrangements are being handled by Lindley-Robertson-Holt Funeral Home in Navasota. www.lindleyrobertsonholt.com

After the service, everybody will be invited back to Pat and Michele's in Stoneham to have a celebration of Pat's wonderful life. For additional information, please contact Rex Gibson via PM, email rex.gibson@comcast.net or cell phone 713-417-1245.

A memorial fund has been established at the First National Bank of Anderson for Michele and Pat's family. All donations will be greatly appreciated, and are much needed. Make all checks payable to the "PAT MCHALE MEMORIAL FUND." Mail directly to the bank, and they will deposit into the account:

First National Bank of Anderson
Pat McHale Memorial Fund
PO BOX 159
ANDERSON, TEXAS 77830

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Condolences may be left on the Obituary for Pat at Lindley-Robertson-Holt Funeral Home's website:

http://www.lindleyrobertsonholt.com/...44&fh_id=12361


Angie

Thanks, Angie. I was just coming here to post this. I'm going to cross post to Migratory forum.

Pat was a great person and trainer. I dont think I have ever seen a person that was so full of life. He always had a smile on his face and was a light in a world of darkness. His smile and roaring laughter will be truly missed. I will see you again one day my friend.

True words!

I will have a couple beers for him tonight.

Unbelievably tragic. I didn't know Pat, but briefly spoke with him at the Rose Country Hunt Test last weekend. Knowing that I was new to running a senior test, he went out of his way to make a couple of comments to put me at ease.

It was easy to see he was quite a character with a very good heart.

My heart goes out to Michelle and Pat's family. I remember Pat when he was training at Millercreek with Carrol Miller. I have trained with him and traded dogs with him in the past. A good honest man and good trainer; rest in peace my friend. Michel, may god be with you and give you peace; bless you. don b

Man I’m just now seeing this, that is terrible news. He gave Molly her first snake training session before her first hunting season, I could tell he really connected with her and that was the impression he left me with. I'm really sad to hear this I was hoping to meet him again someday.

I went to the funeral yesterday. I counted the number of people in a pew and i estimate there were between 400-450 people there. standing room only. They were spot on on how pat was. They talked about his laugh and the way he was a bright light to those all around him. Many a tear and laugh was had by all. There were many dog trucks there at the funeral home and many people of the dog training world were there to support Pat's family. I also attended the after celebration at pats house and ae many people there and it really showed how many people were influenced by pats life.