Brig. Gen. Captain Patrick Edward O'Grady
January 3, 1922 - February 27, 2009
Obituary
Brigadier General Captain Patrick E. O’Grady
Pat passed away quickly and peacefully from a stroke on February 27th surrounded by his family.
Pat was born in Seattle, WA on January 3rd 1922 and graduated from Seattle Prep. He began his flying career in 1940 at the age of 18. He entered the US Army Air Corps in 1943 and flew over the China-Burma-India ‘Hump’ during World War II. He continued military service with the Air Force and retired in 1978 as Brigadier General and Commander of the Air National Guard in Portland, OR.
Pat was hired in 1946 to fly for West Coast Airlines. After many mergers, he retired from Republic Airlines in 1982.
Pat has logged in more than 37, 000 accident free flying hours in more than 120 makes and models of aircraft. He was a proud member of OX5, QB’s, Monday Lunch Bunch, Order of Daedalians, ALPA, AOPA, P-38 National Association, Air Force Association, Willapa Harbor Pilots Association, RARE, and RNPA.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Martha; daughters Teri Rice, Peggy Sedwick and Kathleen O’Grady-Graham; brother Mike O’Grady, grand daughters Christine Ochoa, Erin Figy, Emily Gorchels and Audra Degg; grandsons Patrick and Declan O’Grady-Graham and great grand daughters Taylor Ochoa and Kayla Gorchels.
Mass will be at St. Philomena Catholic Church at 1790 South 222nd, Des Moines, Wa 98198 at 11:00 on Friday March 6th followed by a service at Mt. Tahoma National Cemetery at 1:30. An Irish Wake will follow at the Normandy Park Community Center Cove at 1500 SW Shorebrook Drive, Normandy Park, WA 98166 at around 3:30.
Memorial donations can be made to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville, OR 97128 to the General O’Grady fund. This will be used to refurbish the F-102 at this museum that has his name on it.
Please sign online memorial at www.bonneywatson.com
Papa, you were well loved and will be dearly missed.
I have very fond memories of our families spending time together. The phrase that comes to mind is “Where’s my kisser?!” What a great man! Martha, Kathleen, I wish Amy and I could have made the trek from Moscow for the service. My family did see his F-102 at the Evergreen museum… quite impressive. We are thinking of you and send our love and prayers!
I am sad to hear of your father’s passing, Kathleen.
Mike, flying with Pat as a WCA Stewardess is a great memory. You and Wallace have beem friends for years and we both extend our deepest sympathy to you and Pats family.Paula Kretsinger
Those of us who had the pleasure of serving with Gen O’Grady in the Oregon Air Guard in some of the early but great years have many good memories. I will remember him as a great leader and an all around fine man. I have many fond memories of him in his Air Guard service.
Gen. O’Grady was a great guy to work with and for. I have nothing but pleasant memories, and remember the day of the flyover at Portland to celebrate 30,000 hours of flying time. God will surely use his flying skills.
I met Pat in the late-60’s and always enjoyed his humor, charm, and sense of fair play.
Farewell and God speed to a fine man, aviator, and QB. Friend you will be missed.
Farewell and God speed to a fine man, aviator, and QB. Friend you will be missed.
So sorry for your loss, I worked for General O’Grady at the Portland Air Base for a number of years. A really great leader.
Uncle Pat is up flying high in his favorite air plane looking down at all of us and looking for his favorite hunting and fishing spot anywhere he wants! When he lands you can here him yell Fish on!!!
I had the great honor of serving under B/G Patrick E. O’Grady in the Oregon Air National Guard. There was no greater commander or leader in the Oregon Air Guard. I know of no person who had anything but great respect and admiration for him. He was one of the great ones.
West Coast Airlines was blessed to have its own Irish Elf. With a twinkle in his baby blues & a joke on his smiling mouth Patrick provided all of us with laughter & joy. What a ride we had!
Kristin & Art Reeck
I met Pat while I was working at PDX, PAINT Team. He was a very good man.
I now his brother Mike, he was my first OSP Sgt.
Although it has been a long time since seeing Pat, there are many fond memories for myself and family.
Capt. Pat O’Grady was a wonderful person and a great boss to work for at Hughes Air West. I will miss Pat.
Ron Mangino
The last and highest flight, well done.
Stan Sewart PDX OPS
Many fond memories. Pat was unique, humorous, a great role model and fun to be around.
Martha, My deep sympathy and condolences.
I served under him during the yr’s of 1965 thru 1968 at the 142nd Fighter Wing Portland Air Guard.Peace be with you General
Goodbye friend. In life the Lord was with you as you took wing; we take comfort in knowing that you’re now with the Lord under His.
Pat’s humor, stories and laughter will be a part of all that had the good fortune to have known him. There are many memories that will always hold a very special place in our hearts. Pat undoubtedly touched all of us with his generosity, patience and love. Martha, Kathleen and family…our thoughts and prayers are with you.
After knowing Pat for almost “50” years, he will be greatly missed. He had a wonderful life and will leave behind many wonderful memories, including a little card that he kept in his wallet.
What a genuine man Pat was. He was always putting others ahead of himself. Only Pat could pull off the “pick a number” card he would pull out of his wallet. I will never forget the “Y” dance that we did in the middle of the Fred Meyer. People were looking but we were “dancing.” Everybody needs to take their loved ones and do the “Y” dance. Our prayers are with all of you.
Kathleen,Mike & Peggy:
Rick and I am so sorry your father died. What a wonderful man who had such a rich, exciting life. We know he will be sorely missed by your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rick and Judy Russell
Portland Set Dancers
Martha and family,
I will truly miss Pats smiling face, his jokes and his kindness.I hope you will be comforted during this time of need by knowing Pat is truly taking the most wonderful flight ever.
Thank-You Uncle Pat for dipping your wings when you flew over your mom’s home, she was so proud of you. Also the time I was trying to find out about our family history and showed you all those pictures of your relatives and you could not remember any names or stories….but when it came to a photo of a bunch of fish or a car you drove or a photo of a plane….you remembered every detail…the conditions of the weather, how many miles you hiked to get there, the miles per gallon you got, who sat where, what kind of bait you used…..That was a funny day for my mom and me…..who always was glad you married Martha because without her we would of lost site of our Irish heritage…..
The Greater Seattle Chapter of the Air Force Association extends its sympathy and condolences to the family of BG O’Grady. He made many important contributions to the Air Force and the defense of our nation. We are sure that he will be missed by many people.
Rick Sine
WA State President
Air Force Association
Pat was a man with great people skills and certainly made being a fellow member of the Monday Luncheon Bunch more entertaining than it might have been over the years that I have had the privilege of being a member and acquaintance of his. Our condolences to the family.
Martha-
Please accept our deepest sympathy. You and your family are in our prayers.
It’s been many years since I knew and worked with Gen. O’Grady at the OR Air National Guard, but he is not a person one would ever forget – Don’t know anyone who didn’t love his wonderful sense of humor and the cute jokes he would play – so glad I did know him and I know his family will miss him so very much.
I flew with a lot of people and Pat was one of the most enjoyable Captains I worked with. I learned a lot!
Pat was one of my favorite Captains when I was a young First Officer for Hughes Airwest and then Republic Airlines. My wife to be was a Hughes Airwest Flight Attendant Pat loved to tease “the girls”. We were both Air Force guys and had a lot in common. The best thing about being around Pat was his ever present sense of humor.
What an incredible life and legacy.
Pat hired me, as well as a lot of other grateful pilots, for Hughes Airwest in 1977-1978. He was a gentleman, and a motivating leader while still retaining the common touch and able to laugh and relate with his subordinates. Thanks Pat.
It was indeed a privilege to serve under the command of General O’Grady. His sense of humor and outstanding leadership will greatly be missed. May he rest in peace…
Martha and family,
I was so sorry to hear about Pat. He was such a joy to fly with. Always smiling and happy.
I know he will be greatly missed by many. Sue
Jackie and I share the sorrow in Pats The Generals death and entering a new life. He is one of a kind person that has left so many of us pleasant memories. We thank his family for sharing him.
Bud & Jackie Opitz
Captain O’Grady always brightened the lives of station personnel in TUS with his friendly smile and GREAT sense of humor. He made us all feel special. Pat O’Grady was a gentleman, and it was a special pleasure to know him.
Martha and family,
God put a good man on earth for an all too short of time. Pat will always be remembered by our family as one of the finest persons we have ever met. I can’t say how much I looked forward for the latest prank or joke. He could brighten your day at work or in a social setting.
THANK YOU PAT FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES AND LAUGHS. YOU LEFT YOUR MARK ON THIS EARTH.
I’m am so sorry for your loss. Pat was a wonderful man! I will never forget his sense of humor and little jokes he carried in his wallet. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Melanie and Luis Reyna
Kathy O’Grady’s daughter
Visits from General Pat and family are some of the fondest memories I have from childhood. Pat put electricity in the air with his humorous stories and playful spirit. I am glad that my children have had a chance to get to know this amazing man.
I enjoyed working with Pat when I started at West Coast Airlines in 1963. I was always glad to see him at the airline breakfasts and OB’s. I thoroughly enjoyed my check-rides with him. I will miss him. He was a great friend.
Flying with Pat was always a joy and pleasure. He will be missed and always remembered.
Martha and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I know Pat is making the angels laugh. We will miss him.
Pat — say hi to my grandpa. God now has two of the best to help teach the angels how to fly!
Rest In Peace Captain Pat.
MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ON YOUR LAST FLIGHT.
What wonderful memories from the days at Tosch’s Hangar to OX-5 and QB’s. You will be missed. We will have a toast to you at the next QB meeting. Fair Winds on your flight WEST!
Dear Martha, Kathleen, and family,
Bill called today to inform us of Pat’s recent stroke and passing.
Know that the Seitzes are thinking of you in this time of grief. Pat was a delight and the life of every party at which we can remember celebrating with you–most recently
at Bill and Audrey’s 50th anniversary celebration.
You were lucky to have him for 87 years.
We had hoped to lure you and the McDonalds to Devil’s Lake this summer to stay at Ted’s nearly refurbished home–a tribute to many fun times back in the early ORANG days. Ted remembers them well.
Again, our condolences.
Take care,
Mary, Ted, and Kristen
Two thing I remember most…how sneakily Patrick embarrased us as newleyweds in the early 60’s…and his special weather observation…I’m sure his weather will be CAFB
While I was a flight attendant with West Coast and AirWest, Captain O’Grady was the best person to fly with…he was always on top of his game. So sorry to hear of his passing.
A fine man and a great fellow to fly with…….