Patrick Willis Peavy

Patrick Willis Peavy (Pat), a native Shreveporter, was born April 25, 1939, to William Asa Peavy, Sr, and Kathleen Willis Peavy.  Most everyone says he was “the smartest person I ever knew”.  Seriously—who reads physics for fun?  He inspired his friends, family and acquaintances to live life to the fullest, do your best, and then put your hard hat on when those inevitable bumps in the road appear.  Pat was a man with standards of the highest integrity, who mentored and counseled others with the voice of wisdom, patience and reason in troubling situations.  Mostly he was an all around kind-hearted, good to the bone person—someone you loved being around because he was so unbelievably funny in a truly off-the-wall, never see it coming sort of way.  Life was truly an adventure with Pat Peavy.

Pat began his education at Southfield School and graduated from C.E. Byrd H.S. where he enjoyed the status of “Mr. Gusher” his senior year.  He attended Georgia Tech where he earned his undergraduate degree in Industrial Management.  Pat was greatly loved by the Tech student body who elected him president of his freshman, sophomore, and senior class.  He introduced the football players to classical music and opera, organized unique parties for his SAE fraternity brothers, and convinced the student council to sponsor him and his buddy, George Beach, in the first and last badminton team the school ever sponsored—ie—they lost bad!

After completing his undergraduate studies, Pat earned his MD degree at LSU-NO. During medical school, Pat teamed up with fellow student, Dr. Patrick Sewell, and much to the chagrin of the school bookstore, they created two unique (and short-lived) businesses:  Student Microscope Services and Student Lab Coat Services.  After completion of a residency in Diagnostic Radiology at Grady Memorial in Atlanta, GA, Pat joined the US Navy as a flight surgeon with multiple tours in Viet Nam.  And thus began his love affair with all things aviation! 

Pat became a very successful and well-respected radiologist, first in Sarasota, FL and soon afterwards in Shreveport.  He was always in demand for his astute interpretations of difficult musculoskeletal MRI studies.  In 1992, Pat met his (very soon-to-be) wife, Candy Carroll, the daughter of his boss.   They recently celebrated 32 years of marriage together while raising a host of German Shepherds.  

After a long career in medicine, Pat became disillusioned with the changes he saw coming, often referring to himself humorously as “Provider Peavy”!  He then enthusiastically embraced an opportunity to dive into the Oil and Gas industry with his new-found partner and best friend, Bill O’Brien.  Together, they co-founded all of the O’Brien companies.

Pat had a passion for adventure—especially flying aerobic airplanes, mountaineering and snow skiing.   If the sport wasn’t death defying, he wasn’t much interested—except for golf of course.   Together with John David Crow, they created the Royal Albanian Team in Exile (R.A.T.) in the late 1980s, and for 3 years, flew airshows all across America.  What they once promoted as the “world’s worst aerobatic airshow act” actually became highly sought-after for its precision flying and extremely funny, and highly politically incorrect, ground show narrative.  Locally their most famous feat was daring to fly under the Texas Street bridge during a Holiday in Dixie celebration. 

On June 4, after almost five years of a combination of multiple serious illnesses and injuries, Pat left his tired earthly body behind so that his larger-than-life spirit can now soar across the universe to the heavens.  We lost a good man down here, but we know for certain that Heaven has its hands full!

Dr. Pat Day will officiate a brief graveside ceremony on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 1:30PM at Forest Park Cemetery, 3700 St. Vincent Ave., Shreveport, Louisiana followed by a 2:30PM Memorial Celebration of his Life at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport, Louisiana.  A reception at Rose-Neath with the family will be held immediately following the ceremony.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bill Peavy, and his son Patrick Peavy, Jr.   Survivors include his wife Candy Carroll Peavy, son Michael Thompson Peavy, step-son Henry Lewis Bond, grandsons John Patrick and Michael James Peavy, nephews Bill Peavy (Sharon), Scott Peavy, niece Margaret Peavy Powers (David), and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers are Jason Brady, Shelby Cage, Dr. Jeffrey Gosslee, David Kendrick, Marc Mouton, and William O’Brien.

Honorary pallbearers include Keith Alexander, Dr. Peter Boggs, Donald Crow, John David Crow, Jim Dozier, Jimmy Gosslee, Dr. John Hardin, David Hudson, Bill O’Brien, David Oliver, Carl Pendley, Gordon Rountree, Dr. Patrick Sewell, Jack Touchstone, and Thomas Turner.

Special thanks and deep appreciation to Dr. Rick Michael, Dr. Paul Guidry, Christus Hospice, Ester and the staff at Live Oak’s North Pavillion, and amazing caregivers Urma Jean Brown, Marlicia Winbush, Elcena Pegues and Diane Taylor. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shreveport Opera, 212 Texas Street, Suite 101, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101, First Methodist Church, 500 Common St., Shreveport, Louisiana, The Bridge Alzheimers Association, 851 Olive St., Shreveport, Louisiana 71104 or the charity of one’s choice.