John L. Patterson Sr.

HAMPTON - John L. Patterson, 84, died on Sunday, June 16, 2002, after a lengthy illness. A native of Augusta County, Virginia, he lived in Hampton and Newport News for over 50 years and was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hampton. Mr. Patterson was a proud graduate of the University of Virginia, served his country as a Naval Officer during World War II, and was a retired NASA research scientist. With most of his life spent in Hampton, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and playing bridge; and, most of all, spending time with his family and friends. His wife, Margaret "Peggy" Clibourne Patterson, and his second wife, Alice Berg Patterson, preceded him in death. He is survived by his three daughters, Linda Hamilton and her husband, Austin, of Halstead, Kansas, Elizabeth "Liz" Vawter of Powder Springs, GA, and Karen "Kay" Flanagan and her husband, "Jay," of Falls Church, VA; his son, John L. Patterson Jr. and his wife, Aretie, of Manassas, VA; his stepson, Robert Eastman and his wife, Linda, of Poquoson; his two sisters, Elizabeth Wroe of Staunton, VA, and Mildred Engleman and her husband, John, of Rock Hill, SC; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous loved nephews and nieces, including Cindy Skaggs of Newport News. A grandson, Nathaniel Vawter, preceded him in death. The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Sunday, June 23, at the R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home. A funeral service will conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, June 24, at First Presbyterian Church of Hampton by Rev. George Oehler. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk at 3 p.m. The family requests that memorial contributions be sent to the National Parkinson's Foundation c/o Lois Heffernan 1501 NW 9th Ave Miami, FL 33136-1494.