Obituary of Patrick Ivan Granath

A celebration of life service for Patrick Ivan Granath, 87, of Lovington, NM, will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2019, at 2:00 pm at the Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home, 321 West Washington, Lovington, NM. Mr. Granath was born on October 4, 1932, to Walter E. Granath and Blanche (Goodwin) Granath in Hobbs, NM. He passed away at his home in Lovington on December 12, 2019. He was the tenth child of fourteen children, and was the first to be born in Hobbs, after his father got a job in the oilfield in 1931 and moved his family from Delores, Colorado. Being raised in Hobbs, he attended Hobbs schools, graduating from Hobbs High School, class of 1950. He played football, baseball, ran track, and was on the boxing team. Pat proudly served in the United States Army in the Korean War. He served in an Anti-Tank Mine Platoon in the 38th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division. He was seriously injured by an explosion while removing anti-tank mines in the de-militarized zone south of the 38th Parallel on August 2, 1953, seven days after the Korean Truce was signed. He recovered well enough to return to his platoon, and eventually reached the rank of Platoon Sargent. He was honorably discharged on April 30, 1954. After the Army, Pat attended New Mexico Tech for a year, then ENMU for a semester. After deciding college was not for him, he roughnecked on drilling rigs, did roustabout work, and worked as a carpenter building homes. He moved to Lovington in 1959 and started his first pumping job. He retired as a contract pumper in 1994. On June 10, 1961, Pat married the love of his life, Mettie Glenn (Hardin) Granath, at First Christian Church in Lovington. They were married for 54 years, and raised three boys. He loved hunting quail and deer with his boys, family, and friends. He coached all three of his boys in baseball throughout their little league years, and never missed any of their school activities. After becoming "empty nesters", Pat and Met enjoyed traveling. They also took up square dancing. They loved road trips in their RV and especially to an annual family reunion in Pie Town, NM. Their adventures continued when they drove to Kenai, Alaska, one summer. Most of his life he had a hobby of raising cows and enjoyed supplying his family with organic grass-fed beef. Pat was deeply loved by his wife, sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and all of his friends, and he will be dearly missed. He was preceded in death by his wife: Mettie Glenn (Hardin) Granath; parents: Walter and Blanche Granath; eleven brothers and sisters: Ruby Weske, Ruth Jahr, Edward Granath, Alta Holger, Vina Ted Granath, Richard Granath, Robert Granath, Walter T. Granath, Peggy Ogle, Gene Granath and Jo Ann (Jody) Heflin; one grandchild: Gabriel Neil Granath. Surviving him are his two sisters: Juanda Kay Edmondson and Myrna Stark; three sons: Glenn and wife Kimberly of Tomball, TX; Neil and wife Ginger of San Angelo, TX; and Todd and wife Elsie of Rio Rancho, NM; nine grandchildren: Keeley Gallo, Kerby Granath, Madeleine Granath, Abigail Granath, Emma Granath, Liam Granath, Diego Granath, Lucas Granath, and Marcos Granath; two great-grandchildren: Ari Gallo and Evyn Gallo. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice and condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com.