Pat Morris Neff was born on November 26, 1871, in Coryell County. His parent's names were Isabella Sheperd and Noah Sheperd. Isabella Sheperd, his mother, would later donate land which would become the first state park in Texas. Pat Neff married Myrtie Mainer in 1899, with whom he had a son and a daughter. Mrs. Neff died on July 19, 1953.

Pat worked on his father’s farm and attended county school when allowed. He went to McGregor High School. After high school, he received an A.B. degree at Baylor University in Waco, TX in 1894. After his term as a House Representative, he returned to Waco, TX to work in various fields including religion, education, civics, and law from 1912 through 1919.  

Pat Neff served on the Texas House of Representatives from 1899 to 1905. He was the McLennan County representative and became the county attorney in 1906. During this time Pat Neff was a lawyer; he tried 422 cases and lost only 16. In 1921, he became the governor of Texas. On his first day in office, he abolished the Board of Pardon Advisors. During his term, he lowered taxes, helped develop medical facilities, and improved education by putting more schools in rural places.

In 1925 Pat completed his second term as governor. It was during this term that Robert E. Vinson resigned and Pat Neff was considered for the University in Texas presidency in 1923, but did not assume the position. Instead, he became a Railroad Commissioner from 1929 - 1932. In his later years, Pat Neff was president of Baylor University from 1932 - 1947.

Pat Neff died on January 20, 1952, and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery. Pat Neff Elementary in Houston, Texas is named after Pat Morris Neff and so is Pat Neff Early Learning Center.