About Us
Update Nov 11th, 2020:
This past Saturday November 7, 2020 Patti and I celebrated our fiftieth (50th) wedding anniversary. With the pandemic around us we decided to celebrate our wedding anniversary with immediate family only. Patti and I had a wonderful day together. Every time I look at Patti I fall in love. She is even more beautiful now than when we married. James took us out to eat at a restaurant we trust. Susan placed ads in the local papers that our friends and family read.
Susan took photographs of which I am sharing one with our readers. Patti made a sweet and beautiful anniversary card for me, much better than a purchased card. And I wrote a poem, it will soon be posted here on the website on a page for our 50th. I would love to share another fifty years upon this earth with Patti, I will have to settle for twenty five.
The years have flown by, I feel as if we were just married a few years ago. Patti said she feels the same. (I try not to speak for Patti’s love or experience unless she has said something.) Patti has been an angel throughout our marriage. I’ve had over 120 surgeries during our fifty years, she has spent the night every night in the hospital with me. Every night but two. I know it has been difficult for her.
I call my illness my dues. My life with Patti has been wonderful. My life is so wonderful beyond what is normal that I happily pay the dues of pain and sickness to be with her. Some think I’m insane when I say this, I think it’s a testimonial of love.
I love Patti.
Hello to all. Thank you for visiting my website dedicated to my beautiful wife Patti. I am Patrick G. King, oldest of 14 children, and she is Patricia G. King, formerly Patricia G. Napier. We are both from the Texas panhandle town of Borger, Texas. I graduated from Borger High in 1965, she in 1970.
I met Patti in 1965 while crawling in another girl’s window one Texas night. There standing before me was the most beautiful girl this seventeen year old had seen, she was soon to be fourteen and I was turning eighteen. My heart was forever taken and I carried a huge crush until our first real kiss of love while I was home on leave in the summer of 1968. I would fall deeply in love that week as did she (at least that’s what she tells me and I believe her). Prior to that wonderful kiss we would see each other as often as we could, yes she had boyfriends and I had girlfriends because we were not allowed to date each other or to be alone together since I was four years older and five years older in school. I will now confess that we briefly snuck around when she was fourteen and I truly was worried about her age. I moved from Borger right after I turned eighteen. I would return for brief periods. Although we both dated others, we both always followed what the other was doing and with whom. She always looked for me and I looked for her. Just so we could say hello. My reason for moving is that I was transferred away from Borger to Dallas for a promotion and to start manager training–the youngest man (boy) in the Kinney Shoe Stores manager training program. I was eighteen when I moved away. Before leaving, I searched for Patti at a club function but she had left with another before I could tell her how I felt. The draft board told me I could drop out of college and keep my exemption as long as I was in the manager training program. Soon the war escalated and I was drafted away, ignoring my exemption.
OUR CONFESSION: This is the first time we have revealed this. Patti and I were briefly together when she was fourteen and I was eighteen. We have held that secret for forty-nine years, we made a vow to each other to never reveal what happened in 1966. I was disenchanted with the training program and, to tell the truth, I was so lonely for Patti that I didn’t apply myself so I returned to work at the Borger, Texas, Kinney Shoe Store. I was only there briefly before I was guaranteed the program training I wanted and it was offered to me in Ft. Worth. During my brief return to Borger, Patti and I found a way to be together without anyone knowing. We were sneaking around. She kept asking her mother’s permission and that caused fights, so we kept it hid. I had told my parents that I loved her and they thought I was insane. We both knew an unwanted pregnancy could damage our future and we chose to heed our parents. I hated to leave her again as I knew the loneliness well, I thought of her every day and every girl I dated was compared to her. Thus, in my poetry I never made mention of those times because I locked it away. Please forgive my omission. I am sure something will pour out of my mind soon. Most of my poems are written in a matter of minutes, I’m only slowed by my typing speed. I have the world’s best inspiration, even when she irritates me, though seldom.
When I came home on leave in 1968, I ran into Mr. Napier while in uniform and we had a very nice conversation. He remembered me because he watched the baseball games at Huber Park. I would imagine he also knew I had asked Patti out numerous times and her mother always said no. That afternoon Patti was at my home with my sister Edi. I felt it was now or never, so I kissed Patti. I didn’t care who was watching, nor did she. We held that kiss and each other for a good fifteen minutes. My mother had expected it for quite some time. You will see that kiss referenced numerous times in my poetry. That single kiss changed every event in my life. I became a better man with but a kiss.
After kissing Patti, she again asked her mother if she could go out with me and for some reason her mother said yes. Perhaps her daddy’s influence. I was only home a few days for my mother’s surgery but I returned a month later for two weeks to take part in Patti’s sister Janice’s wedding. My older sister Kathie is friends with Janice. I was in heaven and I was in love. I didn’t tell Patti because I didn’t think it fair to tell a beautiful teenage girl that I loved her and then go to Vietnam and possibly die. I thought if she didn’t know and I should die, then it wouldn’t hurt her as bad. My orders were for machine gunner, patrol boat. The kiss goodbye was the hardest and most wonderful thing I have known. I knew she loved me; neither of us had to say it. I promised to write and I did. I didn’t ask Patti to stay true to me because, again, it was unfair to a beautiful teenage girl. It’s amazing that Patti did very little socializing and stayed true to me even though I didn’t ask her to and that she had not received a letter. I am a blessed man.
Patti never got my letters, years later Patti’s mother admitted she had taken my letters. In my first letter I told Patti I was falling in love with her and I went on to describe how it felt to hold and kiss the woman of my dreams. Perhaps I was a bit too descriptive because her mother chose to keep the letter and not give it to Patti. Since I got no response from Patti, I struggled with what I had written in that first letter. A month later I struggled more, for two weeks I composed letter after letter never sending one until I finalized a letter apologizing for my words and for being too aggressive in my first letter. I told her I missed her and begged if we could still be friends. No letter came, I was brokenhearted and I struggled with loneliness. I was home the following summer but couldn’t find Patti, they were getting the farm in Oklahoma ready to occupy in another year. I was afraid she had already moved. Depression set in and I prayed for a miracle so I could be discharged. It came but not as expected. A week later, events unfolded that placed me in the hospital for two and a half months. I was then honorably discharged and returned to Borger.
Most of you won’t remember that the troops were badly treated by citizens in that era. It is true that we were spit on, had rocks thrown at us, and had food spattered on us. I exited the hospital grounds to protesters everywhere. I was spattered in food at the airport and physically pushed around by protesters. I was weak and diminished, barely able to carry my belongings. It truly broke my heart. A very kind Marine amputee came to my aid along with some of his amputee buddies that were also being discharged. They were met with signs at the hospital exit that said “no limbs, no war, what are you fighting for.” I’m sure they were heartbroken also. Although, I must say there is no stronger a patriot than a Marine. They are very mentally strong those Marines, as well as physically strong. I was always stationed around Marines and I have always admired them.
I was soon home and unsure if I should call Patti. I did call and I now know her mother failed to tell her, nonetheless I was moving the family to Gainesville when an angel in a white Falcon topped the hill. She had a sudden feeling and rushed to our house, we were getting in the car when she arrived. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest, I started perspiring and felt faint. Her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes told me everything was okay, at the very same time we both said to the other “why didn’t you write me?” We both had a very strong feeling at that moment as to what had happened to my letters, her mother.
I told Patti I would return in six months and sweet voice said “Promise?” I almost told her then that I loved her. I had to move my family, get a job, buy a car and save money to move back to Borger or Amarillo and live on my own. I bought a Falcon and my friend Steve Ferguson helped me fix it up. I returned to Borger the first week of May 1970 and started my search for Patti. I called several times but if she didn’t answer I hung up. The next day Patti found me, asked me to cancel my plans for the evening so I could go out with her. I have belonged to her since. Never any doubt and no one to interfere as she was eighteen. We were married November 7, 1970.
We moved around the nation as I was promoted to different positions. I also took positions with other companies with each being more money. In the mid ’80s, I founded the Rent America furniture and electronics rental chain. My last corporate position was running Finger Furniture Rental in Houston. I was then taken extremely ill, we had to file bankruptcy and move in with my parents in Borger. My poor sweet Patti that I had babied for so long became the breadwinner. My heart broke for her but she did well. I was permanently disabled but kept trying to think of things I could do to earn money during my feeling okay time. The amazing part is that I used the GI bill for schooling and studied refrigeration engineering because I liked the theory of thermal dynamics. Twenty five years later I used it. Patti and I moved to Bastrop, Texas. I called the office that managed disability and told them I wanted to return to work, they didn’t know how. I must say the process is very generous and fair for those wanting to return to work.
I started a small company doing service work on refrigeration and HVAC for fast food. Patti and I physically built a house nail by nail. We lived in a small motor home while we built it. We actually had a very nice time although we were poor. Our two children were grown but we had each other. My son joined me and we formed J.P.’s Express Service. I then came up with the idea to build a very compact chiller and manifold system to use in removing the heat from restaurant equipment. The Sonic Drive Ins were 95F to 100F inside because of all the air cooled ice machines, ice cream machines, and such machines. They alone put out more heat than the AC had capacity to remove. We started to grow rapidly and converted over 500 Sonics. Soon, Dairy Queen and others came on board, our only problem was that we could not find a dependable chiller. When we had time we would build our own but it requires a lot more than two guys building a chiller. Twelve years ago we changed our name to Chillking and opened a manufacturing plant. We now build chillers for every industry and have plans to open a plant in Ireland very soon. We build hundreds of models up to 200 tons and all are ETL UL listed as well as EU CE for Europe. Patti has been with me every step of the way, loving me and helping me.
Last, I must tell you of the incredible hardships Patti has had to suffer. To watch a loved one suffer is the greatest pain. Our beautiful daughter was stricken with Crohn’s Disease at age thirteen. Our son James is 42 and Susan is 38. Susan has had surgery averaging every two years. Serious surgery such as removing her colon or intestine, she has had numerous complications that required more surgery. Patti tries to assist Susan while she is in the hospital for surgery and often stays with her. We have two grandchildren of Susan and her husband Isaac, a boy and a girl (Matthew and Sarah), and of course they are sweet and love Pa-Pa and Grandma. They are home-schooled, so when Susan is sick Patti takes over.
We also have a grandson by my son James and his wife Robbie. Riley is his name and he loves being with Patti, she picks him up from school and loves having him at our home. He also loves his grandpa. In addition, we have a step-grandson, Nick, who has a daughter by his beautiful wife, Kate. We love seeing all of them anytime we can. Nick traveled with me and James all over the nation when we first started Chillking. It was a joy.
Both of my parents have passed away and loved Patti very much. Patti became very good friends with my mother and my father while we lived with them. Patti was very kind to my father and spent a great deal of time shopping for small treats he could eat. This may not sound like much but it was the bright point of his days during his fading years. My mother died of Alzheimer’s and now Patti’s mother is struggling with the same affliction. This disease is an incredible heartbreak.
In addition to Patti’s many hardships, I have had numerous surgeries due to internal bleeding. Prior to my honorable discharge I spent three months in the hospital for trauma and other problems, the bleeding didn’t start until 1988; however, AVMs (arterial venous malformations) can be in place for years before finally rupturing. They are caused from severe trauma such as battle wounds, beatings and other injuries. They can also come compliment of a virus or genetics. I had St. Louis Encephalitis courtesy of a Houston mosquito in 1979; perhaps that is the cause or maybe it was genetic. Most likely it was trauma. I have thirteen brothers and sisters without AVMs, so it is highly unlikely to be genetics. Please always give thanks for the injured men and women that serve our country because quite often they continue to suffer until they pass on. Sometimes with no visible injury.
Then five years ago I became incredibly ill once more. The AVMs reared their ugly heads in my kidneys and regions to not be discussed here. Patti has stayed with me at the hospital through every surgery I have had. She was told it was the end and to place me in a hospice. She fought to find what was best for me and insisted that the surgeons find someone to help. A miracle came in the form of a young surgeon that did experimental surgery on me. I’m not cured but the pain is again tolerable. I will endure anything; I’m serious when I say anything, to spend but five minutes more with my precious hazel-eyed angel, Patti. I am again working full time as President and CEO of Chillking Chillers Inc., USA and Chillking European Mfg. Group, Dublin Ireland.
Patti has retired and come to work for our corporation as our Vice President. She does a tremendous job. I am blessed to work with my son and my daughter also. As well, two brothers and my nephew along with his wife are here. My cousin is our CFO. I am blessed to be near Patti twenty four hours a day and to always be near my family. I love all of them.
ABOUT MY POEMS: My poetry is very personal to me and I write from my heart. Most of my poems come straight from my heart and are inspired in someway by Patti. She is just wonderful to love and she returns that love. Most are of loving Patti. Most are from an experience in my life. Some of the poems are based on fictional characters or the experiences of others. If there is a message to be told I turn it into poetry. I am not a master poet, I am 100% pure amateur and I fear rejection and ridicule. But for Patti, I will endure such. Just that I may tell the world I love her before I depart this wonderful life. My life has been a blessing of incredible magnitude. Patti said I should publish my poems and others said they should be published. From that an idea was born, I bought this domain and surprised Patti.
Please read the poem “My Joys and Blessings” under the chapter Prayers and Thank Yous to Our Lord. That poem is a testimonial to our Lord and God, Jesus Christ. He saved me in person. Most of all, he blessed me with Patti. I hope there will be people from Patti’s class that read this dedication to Patti. I pray they realize that she is as beautiful inside as out. Her blemishes, though few, have become part of what I love. Patti has prayed for me when I was near death and whispered life into my ear. Telling me to pray and give thanks for us. Not once has she given up on me, not once. Patti helped me become a better man. I dedicate this site to Patti that all will know of our incredible journey and how much I love her. I thank her for her presence in my life, without her I would be lost. She has given me courage when there was none with just a touch and a whisper of love. She has made me a better man, there is no doubt.
I would be remiss as a poet, and most of all as a father, should I fail to thank my wonderful daughter for investing the time to create this website. Without her talents as an artist, this site wouldn’t be. She has catalogued my poems by type, size, words used, and numerous different ways. As you can see the website is very well done. Thank you, Susan. I love you baby.
Many have tired of my testimonials of loving Patti and my recognition of Jesus Christ. There is no greater woman to love than my Patti. My words are insignificant if reality be known. There are no words to describe us. She is gold, I am at best rust. I love her as no man could love a woman. Thank you for reading this and enduring my endless struggle to find the proper words to say:
Patti, I love you.