James Patterson

Obituary of James Patterson

James Aaron Patterson, 84, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2019. He was born to Aaron Walter Patterson and Hazel Alice (Dickinson) Patterson in Batesville, Indiana and was raised in Morristown where he was the winner of the first soap box derby race. He answered to many names throughout his life. He was Pat to his co-workers, Jim to his friends, Dad to his sons, Papa to his grandchildren and Jimmie to his family. His mother insisted on that. Jim was a kind and happy man who devoted his life to music and his family. He always offered a helping hand to others, often using his knowledge of how things work to solve people's problems. If it was broken, he could fix it! He taught us to always be part of the solution not the problem. He attended Purdue University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. He sang in the Purdue Glee Club and was a founding member of the Purdusirs. Throughout his life he continued this musical path to sing with church choirs, the Circle City Sound Barbershop Chorus and Goodtime Singers. He was named Barbershopper of the Year in 1996 and is a member of the Circle City Sound Hall of Fame. He loved to sing and dedicated much of his life to bringing others joy through song. He worked at National Starch and Chemical in Indianapolis for 40 years before retiring as an honest, fair and highly respected Personnel Manager. In his spare time, he also enjoyed fishing with his boys, playing tennis with his family, working the newspaper crossword puzzle every day, and solving word puzzles and sudoku. He also enjoyed working with young people and along with his wife Jane touched many lives leading church youth groups at Lawrence United Methodist and Meridian Street United Methodist. He was a Junior Achievement Leader and a Manual High School Drug Free Snowball Facilitator. He also freely served as a tutor for math and science for any who asked. Jim is survived by his loving wife Jane Ellen (Cory) Patterson of 62 years. He is also survived by his children; Michael (Dawn) Patterson and Allen (Laura) Patterson. He leaves behind several grandchildren; Christina (Jessi) Patterson, Stefanie Patterson, Aaron (Kathleen) Patterson, Joanna (Cole) Johnson, and Katherine Patterson. Also, two great grandchildren; Zeke Johnson and Andrew Patterson, a Sister-in-Law; Phyllis (Cory) Jessup and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. Preceding him in passing were his parents and a brother, Thomas Ray (Tommie) Patterson. Details on a memorial service for Jim will be provided after the new year.
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