Donald Patrick “Pat” Tankersley

April 10, 1948 – July 14, 2015

After a lengthy illness, Patrick Tankersley died peacefully in his sleep on July 14, 2015. He was 67 years old and residing near his sister at a Bandera Texas nursing facility.

Born and raised in Mercedes, Texas, Patrick was a 1966 graduate of Mercedes High School and received his business degree from Pan American College in Edinburg, Texas. He learned the produce business as a young man working with his father and other mentors and then opened SouTex Produce Distributors in the mid70’s through the end of the 90’s. He also operated SouTex Oil & Lube and Hydraulic Services at his shed located on the railroad tracks in San Juan, Texas. Patrick and his family lived in the McAllen and Mission areas.

Married in 1977, Patrick is survived by his two daughters Lauren Leigh Tankersley of Houston, Texas and Careese Lane Tankersley of Dallas, Texas. He also leaves behind his brother Lawrence Lane Tankersley of San Antonio, Texas, his sister Mary Beth Wright, his brother-in-law Donald Wright, both of Bandera, Texas and several nieces and nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Aileen Tankersley of Mercedes, Texas and his older brother Ross Tankersley who had resided in Cold Spring, Texas.

The family would like to thank his high school friends, especially Gary Stotler and Tommy Terry for keeping in touch through the years of his illness. Also, with deep appreciation, the family would like to thank the Bandera Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Bandera, Texas for their loving care of “Tank” for the last seven years.

A graveside service is scheduled at 9:00 am, Saturday, July 25, 2015 at Ebony Grove Cemetery in Mercedes, Texas .

The family invites you to send condolences at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the “Send Condolences” link.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.