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Pat Hazel

Pat Hazel

  • August 18, 1933 - October 1, 2011
  • Austin, Texas
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“Deepest condolences to the Hazel family. Professor Hazel was a great teacher, lawyer, and mentor. I also enjoyed hearing him preach at St. David's. ”
1 of 20 | Posted by: Denise Davis - Austin, TX

“Nan, I just wanted to say that Pat was one of the finest men I have ever known. Christy and I have just never seen anyone more masterful at...Read More » ”
2 of 20 | Posted by: Clark & Christy Nisbett - Austin, TX

“Pat was my Texas Civil Procedure Professor and I later became his colleague on the Texas faculty. He was a one of a kind human being who cared...Read More » ”
3 of 20 | Posted by: John Dzienkowski - Austin, TX

“Pat was the easiest person to be around that I've known. He had kinda sideways humor, not cynical, not boisterous. My favority memory: when the...Read More » ”
4 of 20 | Posted by: Terri LeClercq - Austin, TX

“I am very grateful to Pat and his wife, Nan, for the many Sundays they came to Emeritas at Spicewood (formerly Brighton Gardens) Assisted Living...Read More » ”
5 of 20 | Posted by: Mary Savage - Austin, TX

“Great memories... Inks Lake State Park camping/fishing. The Goat Hilton ! Listening to Cal Smith sing Country Bumpkin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...Read More » ”
6 of 20 | Posted by: nick hammettt - pflugerville, TX

“Pat's calm, affectionate, and unfailingly cheerful friendship has been a comfort to me for more than 35 years. I will always miss him and cherish...Read More » ”
7 of 20 | Posted by: david w. robertson - austin, TX

“Hello Sir, I remember the hours we spent at the hardware store to get the little parts we needed for our projects or just go there to talk. You...Read More » ”
8 of 20 | Posted by: Marcel Pitzini - Decatur, GA

“My first memory of Pat was in law school. He was one of the "smart" ones for sure. Then a year later, we end up working together for Bob and...Read More » ”
9 of 20 | Posted by: Terry Scarborough - Austin, TX

“Pat, I will always cherish those fun times that we had at the law firm. The stories that were told and the joy that I found in your friendship and...Read More » ”
10 of 20 | Posted by: Connie - Round Rock, TX

“I keep looking for you at the office, Pat. We miss you so much, dear friend. ”
11 of 20 | Posted by: Flo Schubert - Austin, TX

“Dearest Patrick, Dearest Ta, It has been a long and complex road since we met at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Fort Worth, Texas in 1960 and began...Read More » ”
12 of 20 | Posted by: Lisa Hazel - Austin, TX

“You were my best friend...My Father, and inspiration. I feel truly blessed and fortunate for the many years you lovingly shared with me. You had a...Read More » ”
13 of 20 | Posted by: Louis Nicholas Hammett IV - TX

“Pat was a truly good person. I never heard anybody speak ill of him. I mourn his passing and cherish his memory. ”
14 of 20 | Posted by: Hugh Lowe - Austin, TX - Friend

“It was a great joy to be Pat's classmate and to appreciate his winning personality and bright intelligence. I am grateful that he continued to keep...Read More » ”
15 of 20 | Posted by: Anthony Massimini - Woolwich, NJ

“Pat, it was a privilege to have known you in this life. You were one remarkable Gentleman. Thank You for all you did for our Nicholas IV, those...Read More » ”
16 of 20 | Posted by: Maureen Lynn Hester - TX

“Thank you for all the love, patience and guidance as I grew. I cherish all the good times together at the lake, at the mexican restaurant for our...Read More » ”
17 of 20 | Posted by: Teri Hammett - Decatur, GA

“I was privileged to be Pat's next door neighbor of his weekend cottage out on Lake Travis for the last 10 years. He was as gracious and kind as any...Read More » ”
18 of 20 | Posted by: David Wahlgren - Volente, TX

“Like all of Prof. Hazel's former students, I am saddened to hear this. He was a great man and a wonderful (and humorous) professor. We have lost...Read More » ”
19 of 20 | Posted by: Versel Wall Rush - bowie, TX

“"The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive." - Albert Einstein Pat, by Einstein's definition, was a...Read More » ”
20 of 20 | Posted by: John & Kj McCormick - Austin, TX


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Joseph Patrick ("Pat") Hazel, 78, died October 1, 2011, after a 52-year struggle with diabetes. Pat was a priest and devout Christian, a fervent Democrat, a lawyer, a professor at the University of Texas and Harvard, and a lover of people and life. People often said of him, "Pat Hazel is the best man I have ever known."

Pat Hazel was born on August 18, 1933, to Michael F. Hazel and Glenna Gillespie Hazel. Because his mother died when Pat was three months old, he was raised by his maternal grandparents, Allie and Jack Gillespie. He graduated at 16 from White Oak High School, where he played for the championship White Oak Roughnecks. He went to Tulane University on a football scholarship, and his roommate there was Max McGee. In 1954, he was called to become a Roman Catholic priest and in 1956, he was sent to North American College in Rome to study at the Gregorian University. He was ordained in 1959 and returned to serve the Diocese of Dallas-Fort Worth in 1960. Pat resigned his pastoral position in 1967 and earned a law degree from the University of Texas, where he graduated with high honors. He practiced law with Broadus Spivey and Bob Gibbens and spent three decades teaching at the UT School of Law, where he developed the trial advocacy program and won many national awards and honors. Several generations of Texas attorneys claim Pat Hazel as their favorite law professor.

In 2001, Pat Hazel was received as a priest in the Episcopal Church, serving at St. David's until his death. His special focus was the homeless of Austin; he celebrated the Eucharist with them regularly at St. David's Trinity Center service, and they knew he loved and cared for them.

Pat met Nanneska (Nan) Nall Hazel in 1997; they had 15 ½ years of marriage—not near long enough. His brothers, Michael V. Hazel of Dallas and J. Stephen Hazel and Mary Dees of Kansas City, and his nephew Michael and wife Diane and niece Sara and fiancé Dan Goldhamer, also celebrate Pat's life. Pat was a father and grandfather to Chris and Amy Magee, Owen, Ella, and Will of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, and Ted and Nicole Magee and Alma of Austin Texas, and to Teresa Hammett and her daughter Olivia of Atlanta, Georgia, and to Nicholas Hammett III and his wife and children, and to Nicholas IV of Austin.

Pat was famous for his enthusiastic but artless dancing; his love of travel; his famous court cases. some of which he won; his regrettable biscuits and gravy; his ability to speak Latin, Italian, Spanish and to sound as if he were speaking French; his spiritual wisdom and generosity; his winter teaching stints at Harvard Law School; his perfect mimicry of old-time border radio ("Friends, for just $2.39--that's cash, check, or money order--you can get a genuine autographed picture of Jesus!"); and his love for Nan.

Friends and family will gather at a reception at 5:00 pm at St. David's Episcopal Church on Friday, October 7, 2011, and for a celebration of Pat's life at St. David's Episcopal Church in Austin at 10:00 am on October 8, 2011. Contact Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home for details.

Pat, a boisterous Longhorn fan, would appreciate having his celebration take place on the day of the UT-Oklahoma game—but in the morning so that he can watch the game. We hold him tightly always in our hearts.

Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Center at St. David's Episcopal Church, 301 East 8th St., 78701