I have a sad message to pass on to many of you. Pat Partin passed away on Friday afternoon, Dec 22nd, after a long battle with cirrhosis of the liver. Pat was a free lance camera and video operator over a span of three decades, first in Texas and later on nationally. Pat got his start in TV at KTRK in Houston and continued to live in the area until his death. Pat and his wife Kathy were uninsured at the time of his death and medical bills have piled up. Pat had been unable to work for several months and Kathy has taken much time off to care for Pat.

For those of you who knew Pat, laughed at his gruff manner, and relished in the same stories told time and again, there is a way to help. The leadership of IATSE Local 796 in Houston has established a fund to help pay for Pat's funeral and medical expenses. If you are so inclined you can make a donation to:

The Pat Partin Fund
c/o Royal Oaks Bank
4201 W FM 1960, Suite 100
Houston, Texas 77068
account # 319897

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. I will do my best to answer your your questions. If I cannot I will send your questions on to Kevin Allen at IATSE 796.

I will always remember Pat for his gracious sharing of knowlege of his craft when I was a skinny kid out of college. Despite his gruff exterior, he loved to share, whether it was camera craft or an old story. I will miss him.

Scott Dailey