Edward Martin Patterson, 92, of Santa Teresa, New Mexico returned to the Lord on February 26, 2021, with his family at his bedside. Ed was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Ed was born December 17,1928 to Emma and James Patterson in Hocking, Iowa. He was raised in Williamson, IA and graduated from Chariton High School, where he starred in basketball and was Student Council President.
After high school, Ed joined the Navy in 1948 and served aboard the U.S.S Essex as an aerographer. He continued to hone his basketball skills while playing for various Navy teams.
When he was discharged in 1952, he enrolled in Simpson College. While there, he played basketball, joined the ATO fraternity and met the love of his life, Marcia Christopher. They married in June of 1955 and were happily married for 52 years until Marcia’s death in 2008.
Upon graduating from Simpson, he began his career in retail management, which took him to several cities and states including El Paso. In El Paso, he worked as a controller at the Basset Center White House Store. He then worked at Given Paint Company until his retirement.
He and Marcia enjoyed antiquing and looking for treasures at garage sales. He also enjoyed playing petanque, watching sports and lunching with friends. Most of all, Ed enjoyed spending time with his family, children, grandchildren and great-grandkids
He was active in Kiwanis for many years, and was very active in his Church, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church where he served as an usher for 13 years and led the Griefshare classes for a number of years. Ed had a gift for sharing with others and helping others deal with the loss of loved ones. He was a kind and gentle soul, who tried to improve everyone’s day and believed that the day was not complete, unless he had shared a laugh and a smile. His gift for story telling was second to none.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Joseph, James and Ray and his sister, Agnes.
Left to cherish his memory are son, Scott Patterson (Sylvia), daughter Linda Wuellner (Dirck), son Kirk Patterson (Carmen), six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Marian Schimmer and Janice Throckmorton, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and special friends Tom and Susan Preckett.
The family would like to thank their many friends and family for their support. Special thanks to Anna Trejo and the other Visiting Angels as well as the staff at Mesilla Valley Hospice.
Visitation will be Monday March 8, 2021 at 10 am at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. The funeral service will be at noon on Monday March 8, 2021 at St. Mark’s.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers or plants, a memorial gift be made to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.
