Updated with additional names of Mr. McMahan’s children
Patrick D. McMahan, who led the campaign to incorporate Mountlake Terrace and served as the city’s first fire chief, died Wednesday at the age of 83.
Mr. McMahan was known by many long-time residents as “the father of Mountlake Terrace,” and served on the Mountlake Terrace City Council from 1982-1994, said City Clerk and Community Relations Director Virginia Olsen.
In addition to spearheading the move to cityhood (Mountlake Terrace was incorporated in 1954), Mr. McMahan said he was responsible for choosing the Council-Manager form of government, Olsen said. The founder was very civic-minded and a champion for transportation projects, having served on the board for Snohomish County Citizens for Improved Transportation,” Olsen said. “He worked very hard with others to get light rail into Snohomish County.”
He also served as vice chair of the city’s Civic Facilities Advisory Task Force and was “extremely active in all kinds of civic matters,” Olsen said. “The City of Mountlake Terrace will miss him dearly.”
Mr. McMahan is survived by his wife Carol, a long-time member of the City’s Arts Commission; daughters Terri McMahan, Colleen Sederlin and Maureen Rix McMahan, and sons Kevin and Patrick McMahan. Patrick McMahan operates McMahan’s Licensing on 56th and 230th.
At Mr. McMahan’s request, there will be no funeral but some type of memorial event will be planned for a later date, Olsen added.
Mountlake Terrace has truly lost a great man who loved this little city called Mountlake Terrace. Although he and I did not see eye to eye on some issues I did have a healthy respect for Pat and appreciated the times we exchanged greeting or chatted. My deepest condolences to the McMahan family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Kanoe & Cheryl Vierra
My condolence to the McMahan family….There are a few people who had a clear vision of what this little town could be and Mr McMahon was one of them. The family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Shannon (Taylor) Klemm
Meera Sood
He was a family friend for as long as I can remember (40+ years) and always a vocal advocate of events that brought the community together. Mountlake Terrace has lost a founding father and my condolences go out to his family for their loss. RIP Pat.