Wesley Patterson's Obituary
Patterson, Wesley John 89 of Memphis passed away peacefully at Ave Maria Nursing Home on February 7, 2015. Born in Buffalo, NY where he spent his childhood and vowed to get away from the “nasty white stuff”, he moved south to Millington Naval Air Base, TN when he joined the Navy. He served in World War II learning and teaching electronics; he met Dottie, a Memphis native, and the love of his life. They married and raised five children. Following the war he worked for RCA servicing radars and radio telephones on the Mississippi River Boats, including tow boats. Having had to quit school after 8th grade to help support his family, it was important for all his children to go college and follow their dreams. He was a strong and unapologetic witness for Christ. Aside from his family, God was his first love. He later retired with his wife to Madeira Beach, FL where he was an active member of Seminole First Baptist Church. He was a son, a husband, a father, a father-in-law, a grandfather, and a great grandfather. Wesley’s special gift was his ability to communicate his love to those around him and do it in a way that made them better people for it. He never met a stranger; he was a friend to all! With everyone, he was friendly, talking up a storm. He was an avid fisherman, always interested in sharing his love of fishing with family members as well as anyone else who showed the slightest inclination.Survivors include: a son, Douglas J. Patterson (Houston, TX) and 3 daughters, Donna D. Dyer (Pocatello, ID), Diana P. Frost (Seattle, WA) and Dara G. Klein (Cordova, TN), six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dottie, and daughter, Debbie. A Celebration of Life will be held this summer in Madeira Beach, FL. Seminole First Baptist Church, Seminole, FL will handle arrangements.In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Heart Association, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) or Ave Maria Green House Project is requested.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, “Behind the Stone Wall.”
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