George Thomson Patterson

George Thomson Patterson, age 80, of Knoxville and Clinton, passed away peacefully January 7, 2023 after a stroke in April and a short but valiant battle with lung cancer. His wife of 49 years, Miriam Jacquelyn Brown Patterson, was at his side. George was born in Clarksville, Arkansas on October 15, 1942 to Edward Hall Patterson and Gladys Thomson Patterson. He graduated from Clarksville High in 1960, College of the Ozarks in 1962 and attended the University of Arkansas for two years, playing the saxophone for bands and orchestras. George served honorably as a sergeant in the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 189th Combat Support Mission for six years, one of which was active duty during the Pueblo Crisis. His long career in the Hotel/Motel/Restaurant field began with Holiday Inns in Oklahoma City as a restaurant manager. He met Jackie while managing Knoxville’s Admiral Benbow Inn, and they married at St. John’s Lutheran Church on January 26, 1974. George went on to manage hotels for Holiday Inns, Best Western, Days Inn and others in locations such as Denver, Boulder, Birmingham, Charleston and many more.

George was known for his kind and friendly spirit. He loved fishing, classic cars, football—especially the Razorbacks, Vols and Denver Broncos—and visits to the Smokies. Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where he vacationed as a youth and later honeymooned, held a special place in his heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents and elder brother, Edward Patterson of Memphis, as well as beloved pets Dixie Wee, Andromeda, Babe, Chester and many more. Survivors, other than his wife, include brother, John S. Patterson and wife, Edna of Clarksville, Arkansas; sister-in-law, Paula Patterson of Memphis; beloved nieces and nephews, Page, Penny, Eddie, Brian, and John.

His family would like to thank the doctors and staff at UTMC, especially University Family Physicians with Dr. Julie Jeter and Dr. Shannon Lewis, for loving care above and beyond.

Family will receive friends Friday, January 13th from 5-7pm at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home with funeral service at 7pm. Graveside service will take place at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens, 160 Edgemoor Road, Powell, TN 37849, Saturday, January 14th at 2pm, meeting at the graveside in Masonic Gardens at 1:45pm. Flowers are welcome and/or donations may be made to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berrylynnhurst.com for the Patterson family.