Calvin Gareld Patterson

Calvin Gareld “Pat” Patterson arrived in the world May 24, 1925, on the Loesch Ranch in Montrose, Colorado, and quietly departed it in Fort Smith on October 4, 2024, with his children by his side. He was 99 years old.

Born into a farming family, Calvin soon left Colorado for Long Beach, California, with his parents and younger brother Gaylon. In 1932, his father brought the two boys to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and raised them in the embrace of his extended family. He left high school before graduating to help his father operate a dairy farm.

Calvin enlisted in the Navy at 18 in the middle of World War II and served in the Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Hector as one of the country’s inaugural radarmen. His new colleagues in the radar gang instilled a drive to further his education. He enrolled in Fort Smith Junior College (now UAFS) after the war, and continued on at the University of Arkansas, where his studies were interrupted by a recall to service in Korea aboard the U.S.S. Ozbourn. He then completed his bachelor’s degree and later a master’s at the University of Arkansas.

While Calvin was a teacher in Van Buren, Arkansas, he was reunited with a junior college friend, Julia “Judy” Wernette, who became his wife and the love of his life. They spent a year in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, with their newborn daughter before he was chosen as Principal of Van Buren High School for his belief in racial equality during a controversial integration process. He later became a district school administrator in Fort Smith as Director of Secondary Education. He completed his career learning and applying then-new technologies as Director of Data Processing, and concurrently Director of Business.

After his retirement, he and Judy enjoyed traveling with friends from her high school Girl Scout troop and trips to Navy ship reunions. He cultivated an interest in genealogy and developed an extensive family tree, reaching back to the 13th century.

Calvin is preceded in death by his wife Judy and brother Gaylon.

He is survived by his two daughters, Mary Patterson Kerr of Golden, Colorado, and Tina Lisa Cygrymus (Richard) of Salem, Oregon, and his son Gaylon McKay Patterson of Memphis, Tennessee. He was “Grandpat” to five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Calvin will be laid to rest alongside his wife at Fort Smith National Cemetery at 10:00 AM on October 15, 2024.