James "Jim" Otto Patterson

Jim was born in Detroit, Michigan, on October 5, 1932. Known by his middle name, “Otto,” until he was nearly ten years old, he and his five brothers lost their mother when he was only five years old, leading him to grow with a strong sense of empathy, resiliency, responsibility, and independence. His father eventually remarried, and the six brothers had three step-siblings and two half-sisters added to their family.

Jim served in the U.S. Air Force and was a proud, patriotic veteran and recreational pilot throughout his life. Following his military service, Jim earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Detroit and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Michigan. He loved cheering on the Wolverines and could always be counted on to use his musical talents for an impromptu performance of “Hail to the Victors,” the Michigan fight song.

Jim married Mary Marguerite Yacono on April 10, 1955, and they were happily married for 58 years, until Mary’s passing in 2013. In his early career, Jim worked as a teacher and coach in the Detroit Public School System, while he and Mary honed their entrepreneurial skills by owning a Dairy Queen restaurant. He served the United States again as an Immigration Officer and went on to become a very successful business owner, developing the Tupperware distributorship in Florida in the 1970s and 80s. Jim and Mary expanded their business into Puerto Rico in the late 80s, then chose to retire at an early age, coinciding with the birth of their first grandchild. They enjoyed many years of travel and time with grandchildren and extended family, while Jim also spent much of his time on the golf courses and tennis courts of Carrollwood Village Golf and Country Club. Our own renaissance man, he played guitar, banjo, and keyboard, enjoyed sketching and painting, and continued flying his private planes throughout his life. Jim was fortunate to find love a second time, and spent recent years enjoying the company of his devoted partner, Jeane.

He will be lovingly remembered by his children Jim Patterson and Kathleen Patterson Lopez (Al), his treasured grandchildren Shelby Lopez Kamisar (Ben) and Al Lopez IV, and his beautiful great-granddaughter, Evelyn; as well as his caring fiancé, Jeane Emery, his brother George Patterson (Aiken, SC), sister-in-law Dee Patterson (Brighton, MI), sister-in-law Rose Peters (David) (Williamstown, NJ), and dozens of nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his adoring wife, Mary; his parents, John and Rebecca Patterson; cherished brothers John, Bill, Kenny, and Dave; and brother-in-law Tony Yacono.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Christ the King Catholic Church on Tuesday, May 27, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception at Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club.