Patricia Onley, age 75, of McKinney, Texas passed away November 29, 2019 at T. Boone Picken’s Hospice. She was born November 9, 1944 to Howard Benton Onley and Jane (Lemon) Onley in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Pat graduated from ETSU with a BS Degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1967 and earned an MS in 1979. She also accrued 40 hrs toward a doctorate degree. She was a dedicated educator and provided 40 years of outstanding service to the Richardson Independent School District, retiring in 2006. Her first 8 years were spent teaching HPER where her love of both students and subject matter resulted in her being an outstanding teacher. In addition to her Texas Teaching Certificate, Pat held eight (8) additional certifications, including being a licensed chemical dependency counselor. When she moved into administration, she wore many hats and served as a Director of Gateway Instruction, Director of Organization and Development (of curriculum), Director of Teacher Support Services, Director of Health and Physical Education, and Director of Curriculum and Instructional Support. She was associated with a wide variety of professional organizations, from education and administration to physical education, drug education and abuse, youth services, community action, and various leadership alliances to name a few. In addition to evaluating both curriculum and teachers during this time, she also developed, implemented and evaluated many programs. Highlights include: the development of a Crime Prevention and Drug Education program for the entire Richardson School District grades K-12, and the preparation of grants which provided over $100,000 for the Community Guidance Center. Perhaps most importantly, Pat initiated, developed, and implemented the first district-wide Drug and Suicide Prevention Program in Texas which involved establishing LIFT teams in each school to identify teens in trouble. During the first year, over 300 students were identified through the Program with 60 being admitted into treatment centers. Pat was on-call 24/7 to coordinate and initiate the teams and process when a young person was identified. She will long be remembered for her outstanding leadership, her selfless service, and her dedication to young people.
As most knew, Pat loved animals. She was a long-time owner and breeder of Doberman Pinschers, owning several Grand Champions, and she was active in the DPCA. She also loved and owned Ibizan Hounds. She led a busy and active lifestyle with her many dogs (and 2 horses), often with her beloved grandson Benton by her side, until diagnosed with ALS. Her remaining animals are being lovingly re-homed by close friends.
She is survived by her daughter, Kate Onley and husband, Wes Hunt of Crowley, Texas; grandson, Benton also of Crowley; sister, Kathy Onley of Plano, Texas; cousins, Joe Hamrick and wife Elin of Lufkin, Texas and Dave Hamrick and wife Kathy of Austin, Texas.
Patricia was preceded in death by her son, Joshua Benton Onley; and parents, Jane and H.B. Onley of Sherman, Texas.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.
Memorial contributions may be made in Pat’s honor to the ALS Association of Texas, 14555 Dallas Parkway Suite 100-219, Dallas, Texas, or a favorite charity.