Lion PDG Pat Smith
DISTRICT GOVERNOR 2-A3
1998-1999
Lion Pat was born and raised in Michigan, but got to Texas as fast as he could. The oldest of eight sons, he grew up in the suburbs of Detroit. A graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes High School in River Rouge, Michigan, he earned an undergraduate degree in business from Wayne State University in Detroit. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
A member of the Lions Club of Harlingen since 1989, Governor Smith has 11 years perfect attendance. He served as Treasurer (3 terms), Vice President, Director, Membership Chairman, and 100% President. He was selected Lion of the Year in 1993 - 2003. Each year he contributes to the success of the club’s annual raffle, not only for the club, but also for many other clubs throughout the District.
Lion Smith has served District 2-A3 as Cabinet Treasurer, Mint Chairman (two terms), Membership Co-chairman, Vice Governor and Governor. During his term as District Governor, District 2-A3 led the state (16 districts) in contributions to the Texas Lions Foundation, Leader Dogs for the Blind and the Lions Eye Bank of Texas. Our district finished a close second in contributions to the Texas Lions Camp. District 2-S2 (Houston), the largest district in our state in membership, took top honors. It should be noted that District 2-A3 is one of the smallest districts in the state based on membership. During his term, all clubs in the District donated to the Governor’s Goal for the Camp – a feat that has never been accomplished in our District. 2-A3 had a plus in membership for the year, formed two new Lions Clubs and four new Leo Clubs.
At the state level, he represented 2-A3 on the Council of Governors, was a member of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee and served as State Treasurer.
Governor Smith is a Century Club Member and a Texas Lions Foundation Sustaining Member. He is a Jack Wiech Fellow and a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. Governor Smith earned the highest award given to a District Governor, the District Governor Excellence Award.
Past District Governor Smith is Director of Accounting at Golden Palms Retirement & Health Center in Harlingen. As part of his community service, he spends one hour a week as a H.O.S.T.S. (Help One Student to Succeed) mentor. He and his wife, Diann, have a son, daughter and two granddaughters. They have been members of Saint Albans’ Episcopal Church since moving to Harlingen in 1983.
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