Patrick E McCain
January 27, 1947 – September 23, 2024
On the afternoon of September 23, Pat went to be with the Lord surrounded by his loving wife, two sons, and daughter who played peaceful music to him as he took his final breaths.
Pat was born in Great Falls, MT on January 27,1947. He was the third child and only son of Pat and Vivian McCain with older sisters Jetta and Sis. Pat grew up in Great Falls and stood on the corner selling the Great Falls Tribune as a young boy; he graduated from Great Falls High School and traveled with his longtime friend Dick Baker to Alaska and all around the country stopping to work various places along the way including a peach factory in Georgia. In 1965 he enlisted in the US Marine Corp and was a decorated US Marine Corps Veteran who served in the Republic of Vietnam. Upon discharge, he joined the Montana Army Guard and became a commissioned officer. Pat served on various committees of the Montana Military Museum and was also instrumental in the passage of House Bill 255 which recognized Vietnam veterans and established every March 29 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veteran’s Day”. He was a long-term member of Lewis and Clark American Legion Post in Helena; Pat was very active in politics and never minced words when expressing his opinion!
Pat graduated from U of M in Missoula and became a soil scientist, mapping the soils in Lewis & Clark County and various locations in Montana. He was fondly referred to as the “mayor of Elk Park” as Pat could talk to anybody and was able to map private land that had been previously inaccessible. While in Missoula he met and married his wife Kathy and together they became the parents of three children Rob (1974), Corrina (1977), and Dan (1981). Pat was most proud of his children and later his grandchildren Gabe, Levi, and Alexa and loved them more than anything. He loved taking the kids backpacking, sledding, and hunting. His favorite time of year was Christmas and for many years he would take his family out to cut the largest tree he could manage to drag out of the woods. Every year he would sit in the chair while kids decorated the tree and made sure they put on a ton of tinsel!
Pat was preceded in death by his parents Pat and Vivian McCain, brothers-in-law Neil Johnson, Irwin Reese, and Jim Colwell, nephews Mike Hastings, Todd Keyser, and Brenden Johnson.
Pat is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Kathy, children Rob (Bettina), Corrina (Garry) and Dan, grandchildren Gabe, Levi and Alexa Yadon, sisters Jetta Johnson and Sis McCain (Tony), sisters and brothers-in-law Virginia and Richard Harmon, Glory Reese, and Connie and Allen Keyser as well as many nieces and nephews that he was very close to.
Pat spent many hours at Ft Harrison working on various committees with Ray Read at the Military Museum. In lieu of flowers consider donating in Pat’s name to Montana Military Museum at Ft Harrison or charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank the wonderful and caring staff at the SW Montana Veteran’s Home in Butte where Pat received the most loving and personal care from all of the staff there.
A celebration of Pat’s life will be held on Thursday Oct. 3 at 2:00 at the Chapel at Fort Harrison (main gate by statue and straight one block and then right look for balloons or small flags) with graveside service to follow at 3:00 at Fort Harrison cemetery.
Pat was a wonderful friend, especially to Montana’s Vietnam vets. He assisted Ray with many remembrance ceremonies to help keep the memories of their service in our hearts. We will miss Pat dearly.
