Charles Patterson

Charles Harold Patterson, age 88, went home to be with the Lord on December 23, 2013. A loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Charles was a devout Christian and 41-year member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, where he was a longtime Sunday School teacher of the Whitfield-Patterson-Hoffman Class. A World War II veteran, Staff Sergeant Patterson was a member of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. Some of his personal memories of the 305th Bomb Group are included in Donald E. Wilson's book, The Alabama Bomber Boys. As 1 of 35 veterans attending the Alabama College at Montevallo on the GI Bill, Charles met the love of his life, Doris. In 1950, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alabama, where he was a member of the Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Fraternity. Upon graduation, Charles began working for Union Carbide Corporation. For the next 41A½ years, he and his family lived in the Birmingham, New York City, Florence, SC, and Chicago areas. After retiring from Union Carbide, he began a new career in corporate real estate and was President of Ladd Real Estate Management Company for 18 years. Mr. Patterson is predeceased by his parents, Lee Doll Bowman Patterson and Houston Patterson of Clanton, Alabama; brother, Billie Patterson and sister, Linda Patterson Trotman (Dan); and is survived by his wife of 60 years, Doris Nelson Patterson; daughter, Susan Patterson Altizer (Dennis) and son, Gregory Patterson (Karen); two grandchildren, Amy Patterson and Brian Patterson; sister, Jo Ann Richardson; and brothers, Jimmie Patterson (Mary) and Jerry Patterson. Charles Patterson is remembered for his good, generous and kind spirit, his strong Christian faith, and his winning smile. He was a goal-setting achiever, determined to be all he could be. Charles was beloved by all who were blessed to know him. An 11 AM visitation will be held at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home in Trussville, Alabama, on Saturday, December 28, 2013, with a service to honor his life at 12 Noon in the funeral home chapel. Dr. Gary Fenton, Senior Pastor, and Dr. Bill Johnston, Associate Pastor, of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church will officiate. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, 1114 Oxmoor Road, Birmingham, AL 35209. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.