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James Allan Patterson

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PATTERSON James Allan Patterson, age 96, of Hilton Head, SC and formerly of Columbus, Ohio, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 24, 2012. Jim was born in Chicago on October 17, 1915 to William N. and Emma Wey Patterson. As a small child he moved with his parents to Santa Cruz, California where at the age of 10 he learned to dive from the fishing pier. After graduating from the High School of Commerce in San Francisco he led the junior competitors in the 1933 World's Fair and was recruited by the University of Michigan. On his way to Ann Arbor, at the invitation of Michigan Coach Matt Mann, he stopped off in Columbus to see the natatorium at The Ohio State University. He never left and instantly became a Buckeye. The late Coach Mike Peppe built what became Ohio State's "Diving Dynasty" and Jim Patterson was the cornerstone. He was the first in a long line of springboard greats. Jim became the Buckeyes first Big 10 and NCAA diving champion in 1936 and 1937 and was named to 6 All-American teams between 1936-1938. He served as the captain of the Ohio State team that became the first college team ever to win the National AAU championship (indoor and outdoor) in 1938. During his long diving career he never finished lower than second in Big 10 and NCAA championships. Jim invented 8 dives during his Ohio State career, most of which were placed in the NCAA rules book. In 1992 Jim was inducted into The Ohio State University Athletic Hall of Fame. After graduation he dove professionally with Billy Rose's Aquacade, the Seattle Seafair, Bing Crosby's Aquafollies at Soldiers Field in Chicago, as well as the Minneapolis Aquatennia. Later he served as Director of Diving for the Minneapolis Aquatennial for 13 years. In June of 1939 Jim married Mary Ruth Essex. They settled in Columbus and started a commercial swimming pool design and construction business, Patterson Pools, which he owned and operated from 1946-1980. During that time he was issued 17 patents in swimming pool design and was the originator of stainless steel swimming pools that are still the standard for today's design. Presently the company has constructed over 1600 facilities throughout the country. In 1968 Jim began a love affair with an island and built a vacation home in Port Royal Plantation on Hilton Head. He and Mary Ruth moved there in 1980 when Jim retired. An avid golfer, he played everyday and was the Club champion with a 4 handicap. He lived a very active life on Hilton Head and belonged to the Port Royal and Hilton Head Golf Clubs. His happiest years were in Port Royal Plantation. Jim was also a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Varsity "O", OSU Athletic Hall of Fame, Scioto Country Club, Kiwanis Club and Charity Newsies. Preceded in death by son Fred W. Patterson. Jim is survived by his wife of 72 years, Mary Ruth; sons, Philip F. Patterson and James A. (Carolyn) Patterson Jr., both of Columbus; daughter, Charlotte (Tim) Hollinger of Clearwater, FL; daughters-in-law, Rita Urban of Worthington, OH and Sherry (Dave) Berent of Marietta, GA.; grandchildren, Tim (Olivia) Patterson of Hilliard, OH, Tammy Backenstoe of Hilliard, OH, Kathy Patterson of Marysville, OH, Abigail Patterson of Dublin, OH, Winfield Patterson of San Mateo, CA, Walker (Dani) Patterson, Larke Patterson, Charlotte (Leo) Arsenault of Atlanta, GA, Mike (Melissa) McCreary of Dublin, OH, Zack (Diane) Thomas, Miller Hollinger of Columbus, OH, Parker Hollinger, Tip Hollinger Montauck, NY, Hunter Hollinger of Clearwater, FL.; ten great-grandchildren; and nephew, Miller Anderson of Portland, OR. Family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. TUESDAY at the RUTHERFORD FUNERAL HOME AT POWELL, 450 West Olentangy St., Powell, OH 43065, (614)792-1471, where funeral service will be held 1 p.m. WEDNESDAY, APPRIL 4, 2012. Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery, Columbus, OH. In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial contributions in Jim's memory to Hilton Head Humane Society Association, 10 Humane Way, Hilton Head, SC 29926 or www.hhhumane.org. Send condolences for the family to: www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com.

Published in The Columbus Dispatch on April 1, 2012

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