
Grateful: the feeling of showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful.
This is how Pat feels about having a Senior Center to visit. She says with most of her friends being a great distance away, she considers the people and staff here as part of her family.
Pat is an only child, born and raised in Centerton, Arkansas, a community that was ranked in the top 5 best cities to live, safest cities to live, hardest working place, most successful cities, and happiest cities to live for numerous years.
Her parents were farmers who grew a little of everything, including wheat and oats, and even had six cows that were milked by hand. The small town she grew up in only had a one-room schoolhouse. However, Pat's parents thought she should attend public school in the next town for a better education.
Pat was married to her husband, Wildon, for 64 years before his passing in 2018. The couple met at a singing convention where Wildon sang with the Brightwater Quartet. He asked her to go to church service where his dad was the pastor and they married when Pat was just 17 and a senior in high school.
After marrying, Wildon was enlisted in the Air Force as a Radar Operator, which was considered dangerous because his mission involved Russia at the time. Wildon stayed in the service for three-and-a-half years and eventually ended up working for Daisy Air Rifle in Plymouth, Michigan.
They started a family soon after marrying. With her first child, Pat had to hide her pregnancy or faced being kicked out of school. She said giving birth was scary because she was young and in those days, all deliveries were done in a single room filled with other women giving birth. Pat and Wildon had three children together and now have five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
While raising her family, Pat worked at a farm equipment store, managed a college book store, was an executive assistant for a medical center, and a secretary for R & R Tank. The couple eventually lived in Oklahoma for 11 years, and eventually moved to Pratt, Kansas where Wildon served as a pastor in rural areas for 14 years.
Their son, who lives in Flower Mound, asked them to come to live with him and his family after Pat had a stroke about five years ago. He added onto his home to accommodate his parents to give them privacy.
The Harris' learned about the Senior Center through their pastor after moving to Flower Mound. The Senior Center staff has received more “thank you” cards, positive comments, and encouragement from the Harris’ then one can count! Pat enjoys coming for card games, lunch and learns, trips, special events, and movies. Before his passing, Wildon would give grace before our Tuesday and Thursday lunches, being grateful for not only the food but also for the members and staff of the Senior Center.
We are just as grateful to the Harris’!