SAN ANGELO, TX — The San Angelo Stock Show Syndicate has created a scholarship to honor a beloved West Texas 4-H leader whose life was cut short while he was doing what he always did — helping others on the road to a stock show.
The new Chase McPhaul Memorial Scholarship will celebrate the memory of Patrick “Chase” McPhaul, known affectionately as “Prep” to many, and carry forward his passion for youth, livestock and the values of hard work and community.
McPhaul, 42, of Big Lake, died Feb. 26, 2026, after stopping to assist a stranded motorist on Interstate 10 near San Antonio. He and his son were heading to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo when tragedy struck.
A devoted husband and father, McPhaul grew up in West Texas with sheep in his blood. As a boy he won numerous 4-H awards, including a standout victory in Houston that he cherished for life. He went on to build a career mentoring the next generation, serving as Reagan County 4-H agent after earlier work in Crockett County.
Friends and families remember him as the steady voice in the sheep barn — the one who could spot a strong Finewool lamb from across the ring and who never hesitated to help a kid pick out an animal, clip it perfectly or calm pre-show nerves. “Chase loved a good finewool,” those close to him often said. He took special joy in selecting sheep not just for his own son, but for any county kid, friend or family member who asked.
His impact reached far beyond Reagan County. When his 17-year-old son, Raider McPhaul, stepped into the ring at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo just weeks after losing his father, the arena filled with emotion. Raider earned Reserve Grand Champion in the junior market lamb show, and the crowd — many wearing red and black in Chase’s honor — responded with tears and thunderous cheers. The lamb later sold for a record-setting $310,000 at auction, a moment many saw as a fitting tribute to a father who taught so many to persevere.
“Chase was one of the first to champion the Syndicate’s mission from the very beginning,” organizers said. His father, Rick McPhaul, made the first donation when the group launched in 2019.
The San Angelo Stock Show Syndicate raises funds to help youth exhibitors and their families manage the rising costs of livestock showing. The new scholarship, administered in partnership with the San Angelo Area Foundation, will award at least $2,500 each year beginning in 2027 to the champion Finewool exhibitor at the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo. The award will be presented upon the recipient’s high school graduation.
“Through this scholarship, we hope to honor Chase in a way that will continue making a difference year after year,” said Jack Graves, San Angelo Stock Show Syndicate board president. “This is about building something lasting for the next generation of exhibitors and ensuring Chase’s legacy lives on through opportunities that help young people pursue their futures — just as he did for so many.”
The Syndicate has set a goal of raising at least $50,000 for the fund by April 18 and plans to announce the final total following the 2026 San Angelo Stock Show Premium Sale that day.
Contributions can be made through the San Angelo Area Foundation at their online donation page or by contacting the Syndicate or Foundation directly.
A fundraising brunch will also be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Spur Club inside the Spur Arena on the rodeo grounds. Tickets are $200 per person or $400 for two and are available online. All proceeds will support the scholarship.
The endowment will be managed by the San Angelo Area Foundation.
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