Patrick Michael Clegg went home to be with his Lord April 23, 2009 at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Springfield, MO, at the age of 16 years, 11 months and 10 days, as the result of an injury sustained during a baseball game. The son of Michael E. and Maria E. (Campas) Clegg, Patrick was born May 13, 1992 in El Paso, TX. He was baptized in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Douglas, AZ. Patrick’s family moved to the Waynesville/St. Robert, MO area when he was a young boy. He attended East Elementary, Waynesville Middle School and was a junior at Waynesville High School. Patrick loved sports. He had played baseball since first grade, and was currently on the varsity squad of the Waynesville Tigers Baseball team, pitching and playing second base. A highlight of his pitching career came in a game earlier this season when he threw a three hit shut-out vs. Hillcrest. For this he was awarded Athlete of the Week. But Patrick was also a St. Louis Cardinals Baseball and Blues Hockey fan; many times he referred to himself as their #1 fan. Patrick and his father had just enjoyed a trip to St. Louis to watch the Blues and had a wonderful visit. He shared with his Dad how blessed he was in his life, and that he wouldn’t change a thing. Patrick always responded to a challenge and made the best out of what ever circumstances that faced him. As he did in life, he continues to do so in death by allowing others a second chance for a quality life through his gift of organ donation. The national attention that Patrick’s accident has received will validate the need to continue the research for safer equipment in all sports, and a better understanding in the treatment of severe head injuries. Patrick will be very sadly missed, but leaves to cherish his memory, his parents: Michael and Mary Clegg of Waynesville, MO; six siblings: Mary Ganiban of El Paso, TX, Aaron Ganiban of St. Robert, MO, Andrea Eargle of Waynesville, MO and her husband Whitney of SC; Julie Clegg and her companion Joshua Bates of Waynesville, MO, Jillian and Allison Clegg both of Waynesville, MO; paternal grandparents: Lewis and Delores Clegg of Fairbury, NE; maternal grandparents: Francisco and Amparo Campas of St. Robert, MO; maternal great grandparents: Anacleto Campas of Douglas, AZ and Julia Ballesteros of Tucson, AZ; girlfriend: Samantha McGaughy and her parents, Larry and Cindy McGaughy of Waynesville, MO; several aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and a host of friends. Patrick’s Labrador retriever, Bullet will also miss him greatly. Patrick was preceded in death by his great grandparents: Jesus and Amada Higuera; uncle: Oscar Campas and brother-in-law: Joe Perrine. A celebration of life service was held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 28, 2009 in the Waynesville High School Gymnasium with Father John Groner officiating. Pianist Evelyn Horine accompanied the congregation as they sang the responses. Riley Bean, Del’von Franklin, Ivan Freeman and Austin Greene, four of Patrick’s fellow teammates recalled their wonderful memories of Patrick as well as his girlfriend Samantha McGaughy. Waynesville High School Athletic Director Josh Scott gave a wonderful eulogy of Patrick as well as Paul Gregory, trustee of the Abou Ben Adhem Temple of Springfield, Missouri. Gene Oitker, Retired Group Supervisor Bureau of A.T.F. and personal friend of the family read a letter written by Patrick’s father, Mike Clegg. The songs “Forever”, “Please Remember Me”, “There Goes My Life” and “Don’t Forget to Remember Me” were played. Serving as escorts were the Waynesville High School Baseball Team: Devin Urquieta, Eric Ortiz, Payton Finch, Ivan Freeman, Austin Greene, Kevin Jones, Damian Fadl, Connor Steenstra, Sam Dowling, Cody Root, Lee Lamphear, Riley Bean, Del’von Franklin, David Faulkner, Matt Hesteness, Kevin Williams, Patrick Holt, Dillon Williams, Head Coach Scott Turner and Assistant Coach Erik Logan. Burial followed in the Sunset Memorial Estates Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Patrick Clegg and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory.
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