Patrick McGee's Obituary
Patrick McGee, beloved son, brother and grandson passed away in East Nashville, Tennessee on Sunday, November 12, 2023, in a tragic car accident, just eleven days shy of his 23rd birthday.
He is survived by his mother, Kristin Sweet Fischer of Tacoma, WA, his father Army Major General Joseph P McGee of Ft Myer, VA, his stepfather, David Fischer (Tacoma, WA) and his stepmother, Cate Nied McGee (Ft Myer, VA/Seattle, WA), his brother Aidan, his sister Emma, his stepbrother Spencer and his grandparents Donald and Joyce Sweet (Puyallup, WA).
Born Joseph Patrick McGee II on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2000 in Leavenworth, KS, Patrick moved frequently in his early years. He lived in Puyallup,WA, Fort Bragg, NC, Virginia Beach, VA, Fort Campbell, KY, McLean, VA and Menlo Park, CA.
As a little boy, Patrick was always energetic, playful and loving. From his earliest years, he sought adventure, both through his imagination and the world around him. He would spend hours playing with his Thomas the Tank Engine set, constantly creating new worlds for his favorite characters to explore. Throughout his life, Patrick loved every kind of game imaginable. Patrick also had a special connection with water and particularly enjoyed swimming in the ocean and tubing behind a speedboat.
Patrick was overjoyed when Aidan and Emma joined the family and delighted in being a big brother. Patrick was part of a large, extended family, including 10 cousins, and was showered with affection across multiple generations. His maternal grandparents, Don and Joyce, were always a large presence in
his life and they dedicated themselves to being loving and supportive grandparents to Patrick, Aidan and Emma. Patrick was also always a source of joy for his paternal grandparents, Lorette and Arthur McGee, who predeceased him.
After his parents’ divorce, Patrick returned to Puyallup and attended Shaw Road Elementary and Kalles Junior High School, Bellarmine Preparatory School and Rogers High School. In 2017, he joined his father in Fort Myer, VA and graduated from Washington-Lee High School (Arlington, VA) in 2019.
Standing around six feet four inches tall, coupled with his energy and smile, he exuded magnetism that drew all to him. Patrick was an oversized presence in every room. He filled the space with a sense of warmth, humor, thoughtfulness and mischief.
A gifted athlete, Patrick excelled in all sports, including soccer, baseball, football, and water polo. His first love was basketball and in high school, he was on the varsity team for three years.
After graduation from high school, he returned to the Pacific Northwest and lived in Tacoma, and later Seattle. He worked in internet sales, the food services industry and a retirement home while attending Seattle Community College.
Earlier this year, Patrick moved to Nashville, where he thrived. He helped open a new restaurant, Harpers Steakhouse, where he was a rising star on the team and was to be promoted to server, a goal he pursued since starting there in August.
Patrick was always working to better himself and sought a life free of addictive substances. He had just received his “six-month
chip” for being sober, a goal he reached through his rigor and diligence, and the support of Alcoholics Anonymous, family and friends. Patrick’s path towards sobriety led him to a deep place of introspection, forgiveness and an intentional surrendering to life’s profound mystery.
He was a creative soul at his core. He loved storytelling, writing and religiously kept a journal. One entry, written on August 22, 2023 captured the positive direction his life was taking:
“I am so grateful for today. The sobriety, the friends, family, love, positioning. So much is going on around me in this world. Everything is moving so quickly. I focus on my value and worth today. I am much happier than when I place my value on what I may accomplish tomorrow. I love the beautiful harmony of our world, even with its unjustified harm to those who deserve nothing but love. I love the fluffiness my imagination is beginning to shift to; getting closer to my authentic self is no timid task. Thank you, God, for today.”
In remembrance of Patrick, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Oxford House (https://www.oxfordhouse.org) . Also there is a QR code for donations in the donation album.
The Patrick McGee Fund to support men, 18-26 years old
102 E 72nd St, Tacoma, WA 98404
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