William Patrick Thomas Benedict “Pat” McCourt, proud Irishman, passed away on April 21st, 2023, at Community Hospital Onaga. He was 70 years old.
Pat was born February 4th, 1953, to John and Katie McCourt in Topeka, Kansas. He lived in Topeka until he was 5, when he moved to Atchison. Pat was educated in Atchison Catholic schools and told many memorable stories about his time at Maur Hill Academy. He spent his formative years hunting and trapping with his dog, Shorty, and causing general mischief with his two brothers, Owen and Paul.
When he was 18, Pat met the love of his life, Marilyn, at a New Year's Eve party, and they were inseparable for the rest of his life. They eloped on March 18th, 1977 (since the courthouse was closed on St. Patrick’s Day), and their devotion to each other was truly unmatched.
Pat graduated from University of Kansas at the top of his class in Pharmacy, and went to work for Blaylock Drug Store in Topeka. While he was there, he was approached to work in a small town in northeastern Kansas called Onaga. Pat and Marilyn decided to go for a year to try it out. They ended up staying over 40 years and dedicating their professional life to the Onaga community. Pat was a brilliant pharmacist and business man, who enjoyed compounding medicine from scratch, researching new developments, and his customers, whom he saw as family. Any visit to the Onaga Pharmacy was met not only with knowledge sharing but also with Pat’s unrivaled witty remarks.
Pat and Marilyn had four daughters together. Pat was such a fun father, always orchestrating creative projects for the girls (usually involving dry ice or fireworks), never missing a ball game or event, and leading them on adventures around the country. Whenever anyone asked him if he wished he had a boy, he indignantly replied that he couldn't imagine a better life than the one he had, and he taught his daughters to be strong and independent.
Pat was a die-hard KU fan, and had season tickets to support his Jayhawks for years. One of his favorite memories was being with Marilyn at the 1988 National Championship game. He also loved the Chiefs and was delighted with their recent Super Bowl wins. He enjoyed building computers and learning about new technologies. He was an avid coin collector, a watch enthusiast, a history buff, and a truly masterful gift-giver. He loved nothing more than playing against (and generally beating) family and friends in darts. He also enjoyed poker nights with his friends.
Pat loved life, and always reminded us that it's important to take time to enjoy every sunset, because you will never see another one exactly like it.
He was preceded in death by his dad, John, his mom, Katie, and his little brother, Paul.
His wife Marilyn survives of the home. Other survivors include his children Maggie, Kerry, Katie, and Alison, his son-in-laws, Carlhos, Lyle, and Mark, his grandchildren Isabel, Paul, Rose, Pierce, and Juliet, his older brother Owen, and many beloved in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
On Wednesday, April 26th, there will be a Rosary at 6:00 pm at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church in Onaga, followed by visitation with family and friends from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on April 27th at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, followed by burial at the Onaga Cemetery and lunch at the Onaga Community Center.
Memorials are suggested to the Onaga Community Center or Onaga Historical Society. They may be sent in care of the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, PO Box 312, Onaga KS 66521.