Howard L. "Pat" McFadden Esq.

Howard L. "Pat" McFadden Esq., age 88, of Jefferson City, died Sunday, December 29, 2013, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born March 7, 1925, in Kansas City, Missouri, he was the 2nd of three children of Helen E. and LaVerne L. McFadden. A depression era boy with few means, Mr. McFadden joined the U.S. Armed Forces in May 1943, during World War II. He initially trained as a fighter pilot, but was transitioned to a bomber command as the war neared its end. He was posted to Tinian Island in the Western Pacific where he proudly served our nation through the end of the Japanese surrender. He was honorably discharged in August, 1946. Upon his return home, Pat enrolled in law school on the GI Bill and received a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas City in June, 1952. His career path took him to Cole County where he held positions with the Missouri Department of Employment Security and the Missouri Public Service Commission. After a four year stint in private practice, Mr. McFadden took a position as Assistant Attorney General with the State of Missouri, serving as a Division head from 1965-1969 under Thomas Eagleton. He remained in the criminal law field for the remainder of his career, retiring in 1985 after 12 years as a Public Defender in the 19th Judicial Circuit. One of the highlights of his career was representing the State of Missouri before the Supreme Court of the United States in cases involving border disputes with neighboring states. Once home from the war, Pat reconnected with his neighborhood sweetheart Theresa M. Gallagher and they were married in April 1948. This past April they celebrated 65 years of marriage! Together they created quite the family! Along with Theresa, he is survived by his nine children, Gregory (Marjorie) McFadden of Glendale, Ariz., Denise (Ron) Suttles of Oklahoma City, Okla., Randall McFadden of London, England, Kevin McFadden of Columbus, Ohio, Leslie (Irma) McFadden of Wardsville, Mo., Barbara Allen of Champaign, Ill., Michele (Maurice) Manring of Columbus, Ohio, Kirk McFadden of Hartsburg, Mo., and Susan (Dean) Tarpley of Dallas, Texas; 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The family settled on a 22 acre site in Wardsville in a home Pat designed and built from plans sourced from a Popular Mechanics article. Between work, children and keeping up with his home maintenance duties, Pat found time to indulge in a few hobbies! He loved classic literature, music and theater. His passion for photography leaves his family with invaluable childhood treasures. In late retirement he enjoyed a daily coffee club and weekly card games with his friends. He was a life long member of the local VFW, American Legion and Elks Lodge 513. In addition to his parents, Mr. McFadden is preceded in death by his brother, Kirk L. McFadden and sister, Penny Harper. Friends will be received from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 2013, at the Houser-Millard Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will follow at 4:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street; Jefferson City, Missouri, 65109. (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com