PATSY MONFREY WHITEFORD

1934-2017

Patsy Monfrey Whiteford was born November 14, 1934 in Idabel, Oklahoma, and died February 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Pat was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She is survived by her husband Peter Whiteford, her daughters Kelly and Amy, their spouses Rich and Gina, her grandchildren Katie and Jeffrey, her sister Anna, brother-in-law Fred, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.

Pat’s journey from a small town in Oklahoma to becoming one of the nation’s most outstanding businesswomen started with her Southern Baptist roots, which inspired her to grow into a woman of character and gave her the lifelong assurance of eternity. Pat was President of her high school class, a cheerleader and member of the National Honor Society then moved to Dallas and attended Southern Methodist University.

Later, she became the personal assistant and public relations director for Charlie Meeker, President of the Texas State Fair Musicals, where she worked with many celebrities including James Garner, Judy Garland, Shirley Jones, Debbie Reynolds, Maurice Chevalier and Sammy Davis, Jr. along with hundreds of the nation’s top performers in Dallas, New York and Las Vegas.

She continued working in public relations after she married George Reeves and moved to Houston where her daughters were born. Although her marriage to George ended in divorce, he remained an important part of their daughter’s lives and he and Pat remained friends.

Some of her PR clients and associates during Houston’s exciting years of building the Astrodome are now part of the city’s history such as George Kirksey and Judge Roy Hofheinz. She was an integral part of this visionary group, helping to bring the Astrodome and other concepts to reality.

In 1975 Pat married John Monfrey of San Antonio who was the President and owner of Monfrey Beer Distributing Company, was a mayoral candidate and was honored with the San Antonio Man of the Year Award. Because John had been battling cancer, at the time of his death in 1977 Monfrey Distributing had suffered great losses and had rising debts. Pat stepped up to face the challenge of turning the company around.

Immediately after she was made President, she was hit with 33 lawsuits including one from the Teamsters Union who tried to take over the company. This even resulted in a FBI investigation but this did not stop Pat from fighting. She won all the lawsuits, defeated the Teamsters and in less than two years made the company a profitable business again and in the process, became known as the “Beer Baroness of Texas”.

Pat’s rising career as the first woman president of a beer distribution company was a phenomenon in a male dominated industry. She was awarded the Master Brewers Association’s Outstanding Wholesaler National Award. She also served on many civic and charity boards of directors including the Greater San Antonio Safety Council, the Research and Planning Council, the Better Business Bureau and the San Antonio Council on Alcoholism. She was the first woman to serve on the Board of Directors of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. She was an onair host for the Jerry Lewis Telethon and served on the executive committee.

Pat sold Monfrey Distributing in the early 1980’s and later moved back to Houston. Her entrepreneurial desires took off again and she purchased Houston Health and Fitness Sports Magazine and was the owner, publisher and editor for more than 20 years. Pat and her magazine received many honors including the American Cancer Society Award, the American Heart Association Paul R. Ellis Media Award, the Texas Medical Association Anson Jones, MD Award, the Harris County Medical Society Award and the Francis C. Moore Medical Journalism Award, just to name a few. In all her business endeavors her goal was always to achieve the best she possibly could.

During this time, Pat met the love and light of her life, Peter Whiteford. Peter was a successful oil man, had owned a gold mine and was involved in many other incredible international endeavors. They shared almost 20 years together, embracing life and living it to the fullest. These were some of Pat’s happiest years. They laughed, they loved, they traveled and they shared a great life in Houston as well as at their second home in Park City, Utah.

Pat’s love and devotion for Peter and her children and grandchildren was what gave her purpose. She was an amazing woman of beauty, strength and integrity who approached the world with both her heart and arms wide open. She loved deeply and compassionately and in return was deeply and passionately loved. The world is a better place because of Pat. She never lost her sense of humor, even in her last days. The many of us who had the privilege of knowing her were touched by her life and forever changed. She will be missed but never forgotten.

Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Pat Monfrey Whiteford at the Forest Club, 9950 Memorial Drive, Houston on Thursday, February 23rd at 3 PM.

On Saturday, February 25th at 3 PM there will be another celebration in San Antonio at Club Giraud, 707 N. St. Mary’s Street.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or charity of your choice.