James Thomas Patterson

View Tribute Video  View Funeral Webcast  James Thomas Patterson, 72, Maury County Director of Veteran’s Services, passed away Saturday, February 23, 2019 surrounded by his family at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 11:00 A.M. at Riverside United Methodist Church with Rev. Jim Norton, Chaplain Ray Dye, Calvin Cheek, and Ty Cobb officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 3:00 – 8:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home and Thursday from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. at the church. The family suggests memorials to the 40&8 Nurses Training Scholarship Program, 1394 Voiture Locale, P. O. Box 152, Columbia, TN 38402 or Riverside United Methodist Church, 313 Sixth Avenue, Columbia, TN 38401. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born May 26, 1946 in Maury County, he was the son of the late Theo Patterson and the late Lila Mae Musgrove Patterson. He was a 1964 graduate of Hay Long High School and served honorably in the U. S. Army during the Vietnam War after being drafted in 1965. He was awarded the National Defense Award medal and the Republic of Vietnam Service Award. On February 16, 1966, he married his high school sweetheart, Linda Sue Barr Patterson, to whom he was faithfully married for 53 years. Upon his return from service, he began his thirty-five-year career with Union Carbide where he held the position of foreman for several years and retired as a Team Leader. After his retirement from Union Carbide in 2004, James began his true calling in life as the Maury County Veteran’s Service Officer in 2005. He was a member and Past Commander of Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19, former District Commander of American Legion; and on the State level, he had served as Tennessee Department Service Officer from 2010 – 2016, Tennessee Department Commander from 2015 – 2016, and was named Tennessee Department Legionnaire of the Year in 2014. He was also former Chef de Gare for the 40&8 Locale 1394, a member of the Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a member of the Fruit of the Vine, associate member of Fraternal Order of Police, and Columbia Elks Lodge. A member of the Columbia Breakfast Rotary Club, he was serving as Sergeant of Arms and lead the Pledge of Allegiance at their weekly meetings and was a former Paul Harris Fellow recipient. James was an avid reader, sometimes reading two or three books at one time. He enjoyed traveling, camping and helping others. James was, in word and deed, a man for others. He was never impressed with his own accomplishments but always eager to champion the cause and character of our nation’s veterans and everyone he met. He was a man of many talents and one who wore many hats literally. He was a member of Riverside United Methodist Church where he had served as President of the Men’s Club and President of Hewgley Sunday School Class. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Tracy Patterson of Summertown and Stacy (Jonathan) Brashier of Waynesboro; son-in-law, Steve (Mary) Matheny of Columbia; siblings, Joann Laws of Columbia, Milton (Brenda) Patterson of Williamsport, Patty Smith of New Mexico, Doug Patterson of Texas; grandchildren, Ashton (Marlana) Matheny, Gerrick Patterson, Jace Brashier, Annsley Brashier, Titus Brashier, Remington Brashier, William Brashier, Klara Brashier, Connor Matheny; and great grandchild, Ellis Jaymes Matheny. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Tammy Matheny; and sister, Linda Franklin. Active pallbearers will be Bob Stevenson, Mike Connor, Ty Cobb, Roger Gilliam, Steve Barr, Gerald Barr, Wayne Patterson, Alvie Woodard, and Rex McBee. Honorary pallbearers will include Bill Chaffin, Earl Pettus, Wendell O’Neal, Pauline Cooper, members of American Legion Post 19, members of Columbia Breakfast Rotary Club, retired employees of Union Carbide, and Hardison Mills Campground Owners.