Page 7 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Winter 2021 - Online Magazine

LOVE STORIES
“ Al and Pat are the definition
of joyful givers. They give
because of who they are. They
are people with deeply held
Kingdom convictions and
an overall sense of gratitude
for God’s blessing in their
lives. Generosity just flows
out of their hearts as a result.
You cannot be around them
without catching some of
their gratitude-fueled joy.
-Lubbock Christian
University President,
Scott McDowell
The Cabot Corporation in ” Smith’s teenage sons. Pat drove the
Pampa found a stellar employee in
the young man, and he stayed with
them for 32 years. During those
three decades, Al had a two-year
assignment in Germany (where the
boys were able to attend school),
over three years in Brazil, more
than four years in France, and
some time in Atlanta. Al’s work
took him to 20 different countries,
and the family loved experiencing
all the different cultures. During
their time abroad, Pat worked with
the American Women’s Club and
International Women’s Club. She
learned German, Portuguese, and
French because she loved being
able to communicate with people.
Before moving to Brazil, they lived
in Pampa from 1957-79, and their
sons Mike, Charles, and David
all graduated from Pampa High
School. Pat worked as the church
secretary and was a member of
the Pampa Garden Club and the
20th Century Cotillion Study Club
which regularly raised funds for
the WTAMU Opportunity Plan.
A friend in Pampa asked Al to
go into the oil business with
him. Unfortunately, or maybe
fortunately, the partner
was transferred, and Al was friends, and church. They have
traveling much of the time, so most three sons, ten grandchildren, and
of the manual labor was left to the
eleven great-grandchildren. The
family loves traveling together and
has taken many trips to interesting
boys every day after school to the
“oil patch” to complete their dad’s places like the Galapagos Islands
list of chores. All three boys ended and a dude ranch in Montana. The
up in oil-related businesses. Al Lockney High School alums also
says Pat is the major force behind make it a point to meet regularly
the family story. She always with fellow classmates from the
supported Al in his work and was LHS Class of ’53.
a wonderful mother to the three
boys. Their love for other cultures has
never waned, and they have
In 1987, after a short stint with now traveled to 130 countries.
another company in Dallas and They especially love visiting
Denver, Al resigned, and he and the missions supported by
Pat moved to Amarillo. Around Central Church of Christ, where
that time, David saw an they have attended for many
opportunity to expand their oil years. Recently, they took their
business, and he and his father two 16-year-old granddaughters
went into partnership together, to Japan. Following in their
operating 400-500
wells. “That was
fun,” Al says of
his second career,
which came to an
end when they
sold the business in
2010.
Today, the
Smith’s lives are
centered around
children, family,
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