Major James A. Patterson, USMC (Ret.)

Major James A. Patterson, USMC (Ret.), passed away Monday, February 8, 2016 at his home, east of Amite. He was born in Anniston, Alabama on January 11, 1939 and was 77 years old. He was a graduate of SLU and a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. He was also a member of First United Methodist Church in Amite. He served his country with honor for 21 years including tours in Vietnam from 1967-1968, Okinawa, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington D.C., Camp Pendleton, CA, Barstow, CA and Camp LeJune, NC. After retiring in 1982, he and his wife, built a home in Amite on Chicken Farm Road. He went back to SLU where he completed studies to become certified to teach school. For several years, he taught at St. Helena High School. Realizing teaching was not really "his thing", he launched a new career. On their farm, Pat built large green houses and raised greenhouse tomatoes which he marketed to restaurants in New Orleans and businesses in Tangipahoa Parish and surrounding areas. He had a very successful business until 2005 when Hurricane Katrina demolished the green houses and he was forced to retire from this, his second passion. He also ran a very successful blueberry farm and marketed blueberries commercially for many years. The blueberries have evolved into a U-Pick during June and hopefully, we can keep it going this year. Although he had multiple health problems, he was in the midst of yet another endeavor. On the day that he died, he was on his tractor with his oxygen tank pushing wood piles to burn so that the land would be clear to raise goats. The goats were to be his mowing machine. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lenora Lewis Patterson; son, Michael Aaron Patterson and wife, Glynis Mouch Patterson, of Baton Rouge; a daughter, Virginia Patterson Cullop and husband, Christopher, of Richmond, Virginia; three loving grandsons, James Britton Patterson, Matthew Aaron Patterson, and Colin Aaron Cullop; one precious granddaughter, Madeleine Tate Cullop; and one sister, Peggy Patterson McGriff of San Jacinto, CA. He is preceded in death by his parents, James E. and Evelyn L. Patterson of Hammond. Besides his family, Pat's love, passion and devotion was the United States Marine Corps. Once a Marine, always a Marine and a proud and honorable United States Marine he was from the day of his enlistment until his death. Semper Fi. Visitation at First United Methodist Church, 800 N. Duncan Ave., Amite, LA 70422, from 10 AM until Memorial Services at 12 Noon on Friday, February 19, 2016. Services conducted by Rev. Tom Dolph. Interment of the ashes will follow the Memorial Service at Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Arcola. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 800 N. Duncan Ave., Amite, LA 70422; Society of St. Vincent de Paul, National Council of the United States, 58 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3706; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or a charity of your choice in Pat's name. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.