"Pat" Patterson
 Marshall Franklin Patterson, loving called Pat by all who knew him, passed away July 7, 2003 after a long, courageous fight against cancer. He was born November 13, 1934, in Missouri. Pat was a very strong American. He served his country as a United States Marine and he was very proud of that. He was married for 48 years to his wife Betty and they have 2 children and 4 granchildren. He loved to golf, and bowl. His favorite thing to do when he got a strike was YELL YES! Marshall was a very happy man and he will be missed more than words can ever express. Private family services are planned. It's been said that each person gets their 15 seconds of fame. Let me tell you I have known this man for thirty plus years and every day of calling him friend was fame to me. No man or woman that you meet in your life time will ever define the meaining of friend like Pat did. He listened, he walked beside you, he waited when you as fast, he would pick you up if you fell, he would knock you down if you got too big for your family and friends, he would always be there. I only one way to spell friend, and that is P.A.T. When he was so sick at home and I would visit he would always ask me, "How you doing buddy?" Always more concerned about other people. It is fitting that he will be put to rest in the ocean as was Lorraine, who also shares this web site offered by Glen and Gardenside. Pat said he wanted to be a rainbow like Lorraine, my wife. During one my my visits in his last days I whispered to him "You are a rainbow now." he just looked you and gave that great smile. I will always love this man and what he stood for. I can go forward with my life knowing I was lucky enough to have Pat in my life for such a very short time. I love you pal and I will never miss you we have too many memories. Harry Archer I can't believe how much I miss you... You were so much a part of my life, and I'm so glad I had the chance to let you know that. So many special, happy memories... Thank you so very much for all that you added to my life! I love you, Terri Maiorano A loving uncle never to be forgotten. You will be greatly missed. Thanks for the memories from just one of your favorite neices. Becky,John,Karrie,Casie,Cory,Callum (Armstrong)xxoo Uncle Marshall, Your niece, We were both very sorry to hear about Pat. He was always so much fun at bowling. Laughing and making everyone laugh with him. We will both miss him very much. Our deepest sympathies to the entire Patterson family. Laura and Jeff Conklin Pat, Thank you for all the great bowling memories. You are without a doubt, one of the good guys. Mike Pardue To my big brother, Marshall, whom I love very much. You'll never know how much you meant to me. You were always there for me when I needed you. I didn't get to see you near as much as I would have loved to do, but I hope I'll see you in heaven, and then I will be able to let you know how much I love you, and respect you as my bother. I wish I could have hugged you one more time and been able to see your handsome loving face that always had a smile for everyone. I love you Marshall. Belinda Kitchen Marshall,to me you will always be remembered as one of the greatest..although death has claimed your body,your spirit will live on in your family and friends..our love for you could never equal the love and kindness you had for all of us!I know I am a brother-in-law,but to me you were as a real brother and more so..We will miss your wonderful smile,your mischievousness,cutting up but mostly you as a close friend..love you big guy. Herb Kitchen I feel so blessed and lucky to have him in my life for so long. My dad and Uncle Pat were best friends for 30 years. Thanks to my mom and Aunt Betty getting them together. You don't hear or see friendships like that now a days. It was more than a friendship, they were brothers. As far as I can remember we spent all the holidays, birthdays, BBQ's in the summer time, the list goes on and on. Good times and bad the Patterson's and Archer's were and always will be together. Supporting each other no matter what. You are the sunshine where ever you are. Say "Hi" and give big hugs to mom and UJ for us. We will see you again. Lori, Donna and I will remember to wear our name tags (he could never get our names straight). One of the many last things he told me before he left was that he wanted to dance with me. We never got to do that dance but when we do meet again you better have those dancing shoes on. I will always remember you and carry you in my heart forever. Love always and forever, Margaret Wade Marshall, when you called me a couple of weeks before you went away, I knew you were saying good-bye to me and it broke my heart. You asked two things of me. You asked that after you were gone that I not forget "Ole kinky hair." That's easy! You may be gone, but you'll always be a part of us. The second, I cannot do. You asked me not to grieve for you. It's impossible to lose such a special brother who has always been so loving, thoughtful, and generous and not grieve for him. I'll always love you and I already miss you. Mildred Wilson Twenty four years ago this August, me and my wife were married. For our honeymoon we went to Hawaii, and on the way homewe stopped to see my wife's sister and brother in law, Lorraine and Harry. At that time we also met Pat and Betty, two of the nicest people we have ever known. Pat had the station then and he gave me and my wife a Hertz rental to use while we were there and wouldn't take a dime. People like that don't just pop up everywhere you go. Anyway, from that first meeting grew a friendship that has endured until this day. We visited Calif. as often as we could, played lots of golf together,(although some may not call it that), he always seemed to get into my pocket also, we drank together on many, many occasions, more than Betty would have liked, i'm sure, went to vegas and Loughlin together, my God, I think we even slept in the same bed. Last summer Pat and Harry came to Long Island and left a lasting impression on everyone. We tried to cram everything thing into a week, and had a ball trying. Our times together will always be special to me. If everyone could meet someone like Pat in their lifetime, they would be blessed like me. I am so glad I was able to visit Pat in May, I now have precious memories of my good friend that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Pat, I will miss you, but I know you are in a better place, say hi to Lorranine and Jim for us. Love Marty and Eileen Murphy MY FAMILY AND I HAVE KNOWN PAT AND BETTY FOR 25 YEARS NOW AND IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR AND PRIVLEDGE KNOWING THEM. WHEN I THINK OF PAT I CAN NOT HELP BUT SMILE!! HE WAS A SUPPORTIVE AND WONDERFUL FRIEND. HE GAVE OF HIMSELF ALWAYS AND LOVED LAUGHTER. WE WILL REMEMBVER HIM ALWAYS!! WE LOVE YOU PAT!! KARIN WILLIAMS What do you say about a man who has brought laughter, joy, love, and a smile to my life and my families for 30 years. I have always called him Uncle Pat to me that is how I know and love him. Aunt Betty and Uncle Pat have been best friends with my parents. We always had BBQ's, Holidays, Bowling, Birthdays, family outings, and My dad's, Uncle Pat and Uncle Marty's many "golf days"... Uncle Pat would always smile and tell you how much he loved you. And sometimes he would sing his Marine Corp. Song ~ From the hall of Montazuma. When Uncle Pat become sick he had me promise him, that when the time came for him to pass away I would be the one to take care of him. I would always tear up, and say I would. I saw him about a week or so before he left us, he was happy to see me, Love, Donna Bey Pat, Where do I begin? You first welcomed me into your business as a young smart ass kid. You taught me a work ethic and a care for customers that can never be equealed. Working for you not only gave me the foundation to build my own business but introduced me to your beautiful daughter that I am proud to call my wife. Just as you welcomed me into your business you opened your arms and heart and welcomed me into your family. I will never forget the day I asked you if I could marry your daughter Cindy I was so scared but once I got the words out of my mouth you hugged me and welcomed me into your family. Ever since that day you have been like a father to me always there to listen when I had a problem or did not know what to do there you were with your smiling face willing to help no matter what the problem. I think the only thing you where never able to help me with was my golf game but no one can help me with that ;) but I always maneged to have fun out on the course with you no matter what, even in the rain or the freezing mornings. Most of all I want to thank you for letting me be apart of your wonderful family and making it possible to give you two beautiful grand daughters that will always love you and never forget all the great times we shared. You were so much more than just a boss or a father in law you were my second dad and most importantly a true friend I will never forget you or the things you did for my family and I. Someday we will party together again I will never be able to hear "this beer is for you" and not think of you. I was lucky enough to make you a promise before you left us and I will always honor that promise you meant so much to me you will never know, but I know you will be keeping an eye on us and I will make you proud. I will always love you and your family. Dan Upchurch My precious brother Marshall, You will never know how much I love you. I will forever be thankful for our last reunion in Georgia in July 2002 together. Thanks to our little brother James for all the fun he brought to all his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. I'll see you in heaven with the rest of my brothers, sisters, and parents...that will be the biggest reunion of all. Arvetta (Patterson) Kroener I first met Marshall at the reunion in Georgia last summer. During the long car ride down from Virginia I heard many wonderful and humorous stories about "Uncle Marshall" from my step-father, Charles Yates, but I didn't realize how great of a person he was until I met him. Uncle Marshall was the type of man who would make you cry...because you were laughing so hard. I remember one of the last days we were there, when we 'kids' got in a water balloon fight...Uncle Marshall was right in the middle of the action...a true "big kid". He was also one of the kindest people I have ever met. He treated me like one of his many "favorites" whom he had known for years. I offered to help him a couple of times with things and all he said was "just sit there and look beautiful" with a big 'ole grin on his face. Although I haven't known him for all that long...he will be in my heart forever. We love and miss you so much Uncle Marshall! Hugs & Kisses*-*Lindsay Wanish daughter of Vicki Yates Even though we were miles apart Mark & Sarah Patterson Marshall, you were always one of my favorite uncles, along with your other brothers. I did enjoy seeing all of the families at the reunions, otherwise uncles, cousins, brothers and sisters would never get to see each other. Thanks to another favorite uncle, James. Lots of loving memories Your niece, Judy Lynch Brother, I will try one more time to put these thoughts and feelings into words. To say I love you and miss you is a given. One third of the three Musketeers is gone and cannot be replaced by anyone, and neither Ralph or myself would want it so. With that said, I promise you the following things. 1 I will alway leave just a little bit in the bottle or can of beer 2 I will yell YES if I ever get another strike. 3 I will proclaim each and every niece to be my favorite. 4 To be there for any friend or family member as you were. 5 never be afraid to say I LOVE YOU. 6 To beat you butt when we play our next golf game together 7 to continue to love you and laugh with you untill we are together With that, SEMPER Fedelis Jim (Patterson) Hey Brother..... I was fortunate enough to be at your side, holding your hand as you left us mere mortals. I expect you to be there waiting with an outstretched hand for me when my time comes to join you. I knew, when I awoke on the 7th of July, that it would be the day you would leave us. For days the song, "Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine", had been running through my head. Remember, several times, we listened to it on Country Classic's cable channel on TV. We both like it. Anyway, the first thing that popped into my head, on that morning, was Willie Nelson's "Living in the Promised Land". I thought...Oh, Oh; this is it...this is the day! 9/11/01 and 7/7/03. Two days of tragedy. The later much more personal and will cause more grief then a thousand 9/11's. It's been a month now since 7/7. You've been in my thoughts so much. Of course, I miss you, that's a given. Sometimes I think of you as if you're still here. That I want to come and visit with you again. Then reality kicks in and I'm terribly sorrowed. I can't just jump in the motor home and come see you anymore. A large and so important part of my life is gone. This is hard and it makes me cry. I have to pause and think of you more. I always think of you now as being with God. I know you had made your peace with him. If the prayers from family and friends sway God at all then you're there with him now. I like to think all my amateurish prayer and talks with God have helped a little. You handled this dying thing with such grace and composure. You were so aware of others feeling and needs. If I am able to face that final part of my life half as well as you I will feel that I have really accomplished something great. Right now, I feel that I'll go kicking and screaming into that journey. I love Gods earth so much. The sunshine, the sky, the earth, the water, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, all of it. He has to have something very special in Heaven to be greater then what he's done here on Earth. Speaking of flowers...I so enjoyed our walks on those special last days. Such beautiful flowers along the way. We took pictures and talked about how beautiful they were. I know you enjoyed it too. Now see, I've got this damn thing started and I'm afraid to stop. It's like saying goodbye to you and letting you go. I don't want to do that, I need you here. I want to play Ping Pong, Cribbage, Darts, Sixes or just be with you. I hope there is some way for you to read my thoughts, for you to know how much I want to say to you again, " I Love You Brother". These memories and thoughts of you will go on and on but I feel I must stop writing this for now. I'll write you again at another time. Love You...........Ralph P: S: This picture of you was taken about two weeks before you left us. I love it! There is a faint smile and sadness in your eyes, yet, there is a gleam in those same eyes of the Marshall we know and love. You loved the flag and had it hanging on your wall where you could see from your chair or bed. I thought it only fitting to merge your image with the flag.  Hey Uncle Marshall, I want you to know that you will always have a special place in my heart. I feel like I was done a dis-service growing up so far from you. I was really only around you at family reunions but that was enough for me to know that were a great guy with a good heart and an easy smile. I have very few specific memories of things that you said to me but when I think about you, I remember that you always made me laugh, you always made me feel like I was wanted and I belonged and probably most difficult for you, you always acted like you liked me even when i was a bratty little 12 year old that most grown-ups did not want to be around. I will miss you and I will always regret not getting to know you better, but I will always consider myself blessed for the part of you that will always live on in me. Danny Wilson Uncle Marshall; Words can never express the sorrow that we felt when we heard that you had left us. However, we know that you are no longer suffering and that is what is important. I wish that I could have seen you one more time and given you a big hug! You will be greatly missed. We love you! Paul & Sheryl Mallott (Belinda's oldest daughter) Marshall, November 13th, 2003, how I wish I could say to you "Happy Birthday Brother". Four month's have passed since we said "goodbye". At least 120 days have passed and each of those day's you have invaded my thoughts. Sometimes I forget that you're gone and that I'll call you or better yet go to visit you. I think of all the friends and family you had, and how much pleasure and comfort you shared with them, surely there is a special spot in heaven for you. I know all the "Favorite Brothers, Sisters, Nieces, Nephews, Grand Nieces, etc etc. miss you too. I know Cori told us the other day she was your "favorite Grand Niece". She has saved a Lifesaver breath mint you gave her at the last reunion. Pat (my Pat) gets all misty eyed and sad when something reminds her of you. I have come to grips with the idea that you won't be coming this way again. But I also nurture the hope that someday I will be coming your way and can once again enjoy being with you. Have a great day today, everyday, and I know that whichever cloud you're resting on has to have a silver lining. Love you Brother, Ralph I never got to spend that much time with him, but the time that was spent will never be forgotten. I will never forget the Family Reunion that we had and he was in the middle of all the action. You would have never known he was sick because he was acting like a "Big Kid" that was always laughing. He always said the nicest things and was the type of person that wouldn't hurt a fly. I never knew too much about him but everything that I heard was always the best. My mom (Ruthie) wideo taped every reunion that we went to and he was always smiling. I just wished that i was able to spend more time with him and got to know him better, and so do a lot of other people. Marshall you are the nicest person i have ever meet its a shame you had to go so early. I love you. xoxoxoLove Always, Kristina Perez A year has passed since we said goodbye. Goodbye at that time did not register too well in my mind. I found myself thinking of you in the present tense as though you were still here. I'd have the thought of hopping into the motor home and heading your way again. I thought of you daily and pretty much still do. I miss our times together. I have come to the conclusion however over this past year that no amount of hoping, wishing, praying or pleading will bring you back to all of us that loved you and miss you still. I must accept this and 95 percent of me does. More time however must pass before I'll completely let you go. Maybe no amount of time will allow that. I Love You Brother, Ralph Still miss you Big Brother,I might be seeing you sooner than expected. Get your golf game up to par.Love you jim patterson It has taken me almost 2 years to get here. I'm not sure I can even finish this but I had to tell you, today, that I am missing you each day. You were such an important part of my life that a hole is still there from the lack of being about to share with you. All of our times together were so special and they came to an end all too soon. The tears still come and only more time will end those. I miss you today and each day. Your Colorado Pat Yesterday was your birth date. No I didn't forget you, all week I knew the date was nearing and you were on my mind. I Miss you still and will untill God willing we will be together again. God be with you Brother. Ralph Patterson Just to let you know, You're still in my thoughts and I know the rest of the family feels the same. I Miss you Brother. God be with you.
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