Pat Agnew

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Joe Patrick Agnew of McKinney, passed from earth to his heavenly home on Friday, June 6, 2025, after a lifetime of service to God, his family, community, and country. While we mourn his passing and miss him greatly, we rejoice that he is healed forever in heaven. He was 83.

The family will receive visitors at Piersall Funeral Home, 733 Butternut St. in Abilene, on Thursday, June 12, from 6-8 p.m. Family and friends will celebrate his life Friday, June 13, at 11 a.m. in the Piersall chapel, followed by burial at the Rising Star Cemetery. Longtime family friend Gayle Lomax will officiate the celebration of life service.

Pat was born on Dec. 29, 1941, to Ray Agnew and Alta (Burrus) Agnew in Rising Star, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Edith (Agnew) Bibb, brothers Bill Agnew and Bert Agnew, and nephew David Agnew.

He grew up in Rising Star and was a standout basketball player at Rising Star High School. He earned all-district honors as a junior and senior, averaging 18 points per game during his junior year and 22 points per game in his senior year. He also received honorable mention all-state recognition.

Pat enrolled at Abilene Christian College (now ACU) in 1960 and was a three-year basketball letterman for the Wildcats. As a sophomore, he averaged 16.8 points per game for head coach Dee Nutt’s team. In his junior year, 1962-63, he recorded averages of 22.0 points and 11.2 rebounds per game before a knee injury cut his season short after just 15 games. He returned to average 12.7 points per game as a senior and earned All-Southland Conference honors. He served as vice president of his senior class and was recognized as the class favorite. Additionally, he was a member of the social club, Sub T-16.

Before his senior season, he and his high school sweetheart, Carolyn (Cawley) Agnew, who graduated from ACC in 1965, married on July 13, 1963, at Rising Star Church of Christ. Their love for one another and for their family and friends was evident to everyone. They welcomed two children into the world: Joe Todd Agnew and Paula Rae (Agnew) D’Spain. Paula graduated from ACU, continuing a family legacy at the university that dates back to Pat’s mother graduating from ACC in 1923.

Pat once said of his love for the university: “Since I was old enough to know what was going on, I knew I was going to ACC. I did, and it meant a great deal to me. I met people there who influenced my life forever. Whatever I am or ever will be, I owe in great part to ACC.”

After graduating from Abilene Christian in 1964, Pat embarked on a lengthy career in the insurance business. He began as a salesman with American Founders Life and became a lifetime Million Dollar Round Table member.

He was an integral part of the Abilene community, serving as president of the Abilene Boys Club and director of the Key City Kiwanis Club, of which he was a member. He was active in Boy Scouts of America from 1976-83, and was part of the Order of the Arrow, achieving the rank of Brotherhood. He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Board of Directors of United Way of Abilene, a board member at First State Bank, and served a three-year term on the Abilene City Council.

He and Carolyn were named Abilene Christian's Outstanding Young Couple of 1971. He served as a deacon at the University Church of Christ, was a member of the ACU Advisory Board, and served in the Texas Army National Guard.

As an avid sports fan, he and Carolyn closely followed their children’s basketball games and tennis matches throughout high school. Later, they enjoyed watching the lacrosse exploits of their grandsons, Patrick and Jack D’Spain, in the Metroplex. Pat was a fan of the National Basketball Association and especially loved watching Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

Pat, who was devoted to his family, is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Carolyn Agnew. His children also survive him: Joe Agnew and his wife, Carrie, of Los Angeles, California, and daughter Paula D’Spain and her husband, Michael, of Allen, Texas. Four grandchildren survive him: Patrick and Jack D’Spain of Allen, Texas, and Abigail and Hayden Agnew of Los Angeles, California, who knew him as “Tex.” He is also survived by an aunt, Mildred (Carter) Hounsel of Rising Star, Texas, and nieces and nephews Carol (Agnew) Holliman, Tommy Bibb, Steve Bibb, Marilyn (Bibb) Isom, and Randy Bibb.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to your favorite charity in memory of Pat. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com. The family wishes to thank Visiting Angels, Christian Care of Allen, and Bella Hospice for caring for Pat during his final days.