Patrick James ‘Pat’ McMahon, 69, unexpectedly gained his wings on August 26, 2024.
He was born and raised in Lake Worth, Florida and joined the U.S. army at the age of 17, where he served for 20 years. During his military career, he was stationed in Korea and Germany. His specialty in the military was avionics where he worked primarily on Apache helicopters. He ultimately became an instructor for AH64 maintenance in training. During his time in the military, he was known as ‘Mac.’ In September of 1991, he met the love of his life, when they were introduced by a mutual friend, while stationed at Fort Eustis. He ultimately retired from the army at Fort Eustis in 1992.
After leaving the military, he began fulfilling his dream of becoming a long-distance driver for J.B. Hunt. In 1993, he married the love of his life, Shelia, and stepped up to be the Dad he didn’t have to be! Pat went on to work for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Corporation, where he wrote maintenance manuals for military helicopters. He got his heating and air conditioning certification and began working at George’s Reality at Berkley South. Along the way, Pat became an instructor for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation of Virginia, teaching novice and experienced rider courses throughout the state of Virginia, he also became a CPR and First Aid instructor for Medic First Aid International. Also, during this time, Pat became a Cub Scout Pack Leader for his nephew, Adam. He officially retired in 2020, and assumed his next career where he was always ready and willing to help whenever he was needed by family and friends. From household repairs, yard maintenance, car repairs, to cookie testing and Christmas decorating, he was always there.
He was an avid motorcycle rider, a lifetime member of GWRRA, where he was a master tour rider, a member of Virginia Chapter C, where he, along with his wife, held positions of Chapter Director, Assistant Chapter Director, Chapter Educator, and Special Events Coordinator, and, in 2004, he received Region N Educator of the Year. As a motorcycle enthusiast, he rode his Goldwing through virtually every state in the U.S., and also Mexico, and multiple Canadian provinces, achieving more than 200,000 safe miles of riding. He didn’t believe in trailering his bike to get to his destination.
A few of the things that Pat loved the most were his family and friends, his dogs, playing Santa throughout the years, cookies, traveling, and he was always on the lookout for a cookout. Pat had many titles… Sweetheart/Husband, Pops, Dad, Brother, Son-in-Law, Uncle Pat, Sir Patrick, Mr. Safety, and Mr. McMahon (especially when he was in hot water with his wife).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Sr. and Helen McMahon, his son, Patrick James ‘Jamie’ McMahon Jr., Stepmother Delores ‘Dee’ McMahon, Father-in-Law, Alvin ‘Honey’ Adams, his sisters, Kathy McMahon, Debra McMahon, and Mary Ann McMahon.
He is survived by his wife of over 30 years, Shelia Adams McMahon, his son, Edward James ‘Jamie’ Cokley III, his brother, Robert ‘Bobby’ L. McMahon Jr. (Sue), his sisters Joanne McMahon, Donna Siler, Barbara McMahon, Julie McMahon, Connie Almond, Shelly LaMontagne, Dawn LaMontagne, his Mother-in-Law Betty Adams, Sisters-in-Law, Rhonda Adams Guilliams (Barry), Kelly Adams Carnahan, his long-time friend and non-biological brother, Gary Wall, his special niece and nephews who came along after he joined the Adams clan, Adam Carnahan, Laney Carnahan, and Colby Guilliams, and a host of other nieces and nephews, including Carmen Schaberl and Trad Guilliams.
A special thank you to Dr. Tommy Johnson for the exceptional care provided to Pat and his family over the past many years.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Pat’s memory to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund at P.O. Box 361 Corolla, NC 27927 or online at corollawildhorses.com. Pat was always on the lookout for a cookout, so, instead of traditional memorial services (which were just not Pat), a memorial cookout will be held in his honor to celebrate his life at a future date.
