George Patterson

George Henry Patterson, 85, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Twin Pines Adult Care Center in Kirksville, MO. He was born the son of Henry and Orpha (Chrisman) Patterson on January 25, 1934 in Sidney, MO in Putnam County. George was united in marriage to Barbara Jean Deeds on December 25, 1956 in Unionville, MO and to this union 2 children were born, Rhonda Renee and Bradley Lane.

Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Barbara, from Connelsville, MO, son, Brad Patterson and daughter, Rhonda Smith and husband Terry, both of Kirksville, MO. Two sisters, Bette Jacobs and husband “Bud” of Unionville, MO and Rebecca “Becky” Summers of Centerville, IA. Also many nieces and nephews. Three grandchildren Chase Smith and fiance Megan Bonham, Patience Wyman and husband Zack and Braden Smith. Four great grandchildren Brant Courtney, Brooks and Libby Wyman and Kate Bonham.

He was preceded in death by his father Henry Patterson when he was 10 years old and his mother Orpha Ledford and his stepfather Rollie Ledford. Siblings and brother in laws who also preceded him are Eailena Lawson and husband, Cecil, Alice Lucille West and husband Glen, Mary Durham and husband Manford, Donnie Summers, Raymond Skipper and Lorin “Sonny” Deeds. In laws Charles E and Velma (Long) Deeds.
George graduated from Putnam County High School in Unionville, MO. After High School he joined the United States Navy. He was proud to serve his country and was enlisted for 4 years during the Korean War. He was a welder on the US Naval aircraft carrier the USS Badoeng Strait. This fleet of ships was one of the first to drop and experiment with the first hydrogen bombs dropped on the Bikini Islands.

After his discharge from the Navy he got married, lived and worked as a welder at a boiler plant in Joliet, IL. When they came back to Putnam County, he farmed and drove a milk truck until 1962. Next they moved to Adair County where he broke horses for others, farmed, milked cows, raised hogs and built Behlen bins with Ted Sevits. Then they moved to Connelsville, MO in the winter of 1970 where he continued to farm, raising horses, cattle and hogs. At this time he started working in carpentry, remodeling homes and construction for about 35 years lastly working for J W Pickett Construction.

George was an extremely dedicated Christian. He was an active member of Calvary Temple serving as Superintendent and Sunday School teacher for many years. In later years he attended the Assembly of God Church in Green City. Dad always and I mean always read to us from our children’s bible story book each night before bed. Dad also wouldn’t ever miss a church service for any reason. He dearly loved his God and Saviour, his family, the Bible, his church and church members, his animals especially horses - riding and breaking them to ride and to pull as a team with wagons, sleds and his buggy, walks with his wife and sometimes the neighbor’s dog to the Chariton River bridge and back home.

Visitation with the family will be from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Thursday (March 14, 2019) with funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home. Burial will be in Dodson Cemetery near Unionville, MO.

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements in the care of Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer funeral Home; www.davisplaylehudsonrimer.com.