Pat Tone

Pat Tone, of Taylor, Texas died on April 18, 2011 at age 79.

F. Pat Tone was born July 28, 1931 in Eastland, Texas to Waldo Emerson and Lucille (McCleskey) Tone. Pat attended Monahans H.S. and was a proud member of the 1948 State Championship Football team. He graduated from Monahans H.S. in 1949. He went on to attend Hardin-Simmons University on a football scholarship and graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1965 he received his Master of Science degree from Sul Ross State College.

Pat is survived by his wife of 47 years, Phyllis (Gilley) Tone of Taylor, Texas. He is also survived by his children and their spouses Mitch and Iris Tone of Taylor, Texas, Mike and Teresa Tone of Lubbock, Texas and Nicole and Tod Kuenning of San Antonio, Texas. Pat was the proud PawPaw of 5 grandchildren: Devyn, Christian, and Brice Tone and Patrick and Christopher Tone. He is also survived by his brother Gene Tone and mother-in-law Mildred Gilley as well as numerous family, friends and former students.

Pat (or Coach Tone as many knew him) had an extensive and successful career as an educator. He began teaching and coaching at the age of 21 in Plains, TX 1953-54. He then went to Taylor, TX to teach and coach from 1954-59. From there he returned to his home town of Monahans, TX from 1959-67. He moved to Carrizo Springs, TX to become the Head Football Coach from 1967-68. From 1968-72 he taught and coached in Hobbs, NM. In 1972 he was named the Head Football Coach of Hobbs H.S. and led the team to a State Championship. He continued in Hobbs through 1976. He then moved to Iowa Park, TX as the Head Football Coach from 1976-78. From 1978-83 he taught and coached in Plainview, TX. During his time in Plainview, he was selected to join the 1982 coaching staff of the Texas All Star Football Team. In 1983 he moved to Taylor, TX to become the assistant principal of Taylor H.S. He retired from THS in 1990.

Coach Tone was named New Mexico’s Coach of the Year in 1972. Pat had the honor of being named to the Monahans High School All Time Football Team. In addition, Pat was a former Deacon of the Hwy 95 Church of Christ in Taylor, TX. He was also a member of the Taylor Lions Club, TX High School Coaches Association, and served in the National Guard.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Doyle Tone.

Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 20, 2011 and 10:00 – 12:00 A.M. Thursday, April 21, 2011 at Providence Funeral Home.

Services will be 1:00 P.M. Thursday, April 21, 2011, at Providence Funeral Home, 807 Carlos Parker Blvd., Taylor, TX. Interment will be at the City of Taylor Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Texas Lions Camp, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the cause of your choice.

The Tone family would like to thank the caregivers at Anderson Mill Assisted Living in Austin, TX for the kindness and loving care that they provided for Pat with a special thanks to Jamie and Roy. We thank Odyssey Hospice for their comfort and support. We would also like to thank the nurses and staff of Will-O-Bell Nursing Home in Bartlett, TX for the care they gave to Pat during his time there.