THOMAS “TOM” D. PATTERSON
Tue, 2014-12-23 19:40
News Staff
Thomas “Tom” Dale Patterson, age 76, passed away at residence at Paradise Resort Estates in Pharr on Wednesday morning, December 17, 2014. He was born on Nov 30, 1938 in Springfield, IL the second son of William Raymond and Lela Moorman Patterson. He enlisted in the US Navy, training as a Corpsman. He then transferred to the Field Marines and served in Okinawa until 1959. He attended Western Illinois University for 3 years where he met and married Valarie (Vicky) Earnest Patterson in Beardstown, IL in 1962 where they lived for over 35 years before moving to Alamo in 2002 and then to Pharr in 2006. He worked for the Central Illinois Power Company for 35 years retiring in 1998 as a draftsman. Those left behind are his wife of 52 years Vicky, and their daughters, Kathleen Dennis (Mike) of Tulsa, OK, Suzanne Osmer (Joe) of Beardstown, IL & Allison Ristau (Scott) of Chatham, IL, a brother, Donald Ray Patterson (wife Ruth) of Colorado Springs, CO, 11 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Tom’s passion was music. He sang in several choirs and jams in Beardstown and across the Valley. Her played guitar and made a CD with 16 songs he wrote.He and Vicky were members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in McAllen, TX. No funeral services are planned at this time. Cremation was entrusted to the care of Skinner-Silva Funeral Home of Pharr. Memorials may be made to the church or charity of your choice.