Remembering Patrick Massey: The Man Behind the Story

Patrick with his Aunt Geneva

Patrick Massey's life was defined by his remarkable resilience and a sense of humor that could brighten even the darkest days. Born and raised in the close-knit Lazy Bend community of Grant County, Arkansas, Patrick carried those small-town values of family, friendship, and finding joy in simple pleasures throughout his life.

At his core, Patrick was a devoted family man. His greatest happiness came from sharing his passions with those he loved. Whether it was gathering everyone around the grill on summer evenings, cheering together during NASCAR races and football games, or planning the next family camping trip, Patrick found his purpose in creating moments that brought his family together. His love wasn't expressed through grand gestures, but through the consistent, everyday ways he showed up for the people who mattered most to him.

Patrick embraced life's adventures with enthusiasm and good humor. When he wasn't spending time with family, you might find him mud riding through Arkansas backroads, admiring classic muscle cars, or finding peace while fishing and hunting in the natural beauty of Grant County. He had a special appreciation for the freedom of driving his 1969 Dodge Coronet with the windows down and music up – but even these pleasures were made better when shared with someone he loved.

His passion for muscle cars wasn't just a hobby – it was a part of who he was. Patrick took great pride in his own muscle car, often spending weekends tinkering with it and showing it off to friends and family. This love for powerful vehicles extended into his professional life, where he made his living driving a big truck. The open road was where Patrick felt at home, and he took pride in his work delivering to local mills in Arkansas. His truck driving career perfectly suited his independent spirit while allowing him to provide for his family doing something he truly enjoyed.

Some of Patrick's most cherished moments were spent fishing at the Saline River. He took great pride in running trot lines with his friends and family, sharing not just the catch of the day but the stories, laughter, and quiet moments that came with it. These fishing trips weren't just about the fish – they were about strengthening bonds and creating memories that would last a lifetime. The Saline River was Patrick's sanctuary, a place where he could connect with nature and the people he cared about most.

What everyone remembers most about Patrick was how his resilience and humor touched their lives. In challenging moments, he found strength to persevere and usually a reason to smile. His laughter was contagious, and his ability to find humor in everyday situations brought light to those around him.

Just three months before he was taken from us, we experienced the loss of Patrick's aunt, who had never remarried after losing her husband 20 years earlier. As we grieved together, I tearfully told Patrick that she must be rejoicing in heaven, finally reunited with her husband after all those years. Through my tears, I confessed, "I don't know what I would ever do without you."

In true Patrick fashion, he looked at me with that twinkle in his eye and said, "Well, wait—I have to go before you because I don't know how to pay the bills!" In an instant, he transformed my tears into laughter. That was Patrick's gift and he always knew how to bring light to the darkest moments. This memory captures the essence of who he was—someone who used humor not to dismiss feelings, but to help carry us through them.

Note to Readers:

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Patrick and the wonderful person he was. This is the first in a series of posts I'll be sharing about Patrick's story and my journey to advocate for reform of Act 911 in Arkansas.

In the coming weeks, I'll be adding more posts that explain what happened to Patrick, the failures of our justice system in handling his case, and the specific changes needed to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies.

This website will also include substantial documentation to support these accounts, including court records, text messages, recorded jail calls, and other evidence that provides a complete picture of what occurred and where our justice system failed.

This website is a labor of love created to honor Patrick's memory and to create meaningful change in his name. Please check back for updates as I continue to share our story and the evidence behind it.

With gratitude, Ann