David F. "Dave" Patterson

Whether you knew him as David, DP, Dave, Mr. P., PMan, Davey, Bump, Dad, or just P, whatever you called him in life, David Francis Patterson was always there for those he loved and for those who loved him. This love started on February 9, 1952 when he was born to Mary (Snyder) and Francis Patterson of Mansfield, Ohio. Shortly after his birth, his partner in crime, Laura Patterson, was born. Later, Jeanie (Dean) Sqrow completed this trio.

At the age of 19, Dave added yet another woman to his life. In 1971, Dave eloped with his soulmate and the love of his life, Barbara Long of Mansfield, Ohio. Together, they moved to the country, grew a little garden, and raised four children just outside of Mt. Gilead, Ohio. The Patterson kids, Anna (Aaron) Creswell, Emily Patterson, Katy (Phil) Keogh, and Wes Patterson, kept the house loud, and Barb and Dave kept the back door open to friends, neighbors, and family. Their kitchen table became a common gathering place for anyone who needed to tell or to hear a good story, share in genuine laughter, cry heartfelt tears, or drink a few cold beers. Barb and Dave created a home of warmth and, for 54 years, lived the perfect love story. Anyone who ever sat at their kitchen table felt that love.

Within this love story, Dave also extended his heart to the students and teachers of Galion City Schools where he taught high school English for 31 years after graduating from The Ohio State University in 1975 with a BS in Education and a minor in French – which he spoke fluently. A voracious reader, an expert crossword puzzle solver, and a beautiful song writer, Dave's career choice was the perfect fit for such a cunning linguist.

When the school bell rang at the end of every school day or for the summer, Dave was rarely found inside. From an immaculately weeded garden to precisely stacked rows of firewood, Dave's perfectionism showed up even in his hobbies. When he wasn't cutting wood or tending garden, Dave loved to run his beagle pups, hunt arrowheads and morel mushrooms, play poker with his buddies, sing and pick songs on his handmade banjotar with the Hickory Wind Band, putter around the neighborhood with his son, watch his grandkids, Auden and Ethan Patterson (Emily) and Isla and Rory Keogh (Katy and Phil) grow, and enjoy cocktail hour on his back patio with Barb and anyone who stopped by.

For those of you who knew Dave, those of you who loved Dave, and those of you who just met Dave through these words, stop for a moment, think of someone you love, and raise a glass to Dave and to that person. Like Dave, live your life with a heart full of love and a soul full of laughter. To Dave, "We'll meet again on some bright highway / Songs to sing and tales to tell." Cheers to a life well lived, DP!

In the spirit of David's generous and practical character, donate to The Spondylitis Association of America or The ACLU in his memory. He never cared for flowers or trinkets. Join the Patterson Family on March 21, 2026 at The Woods Catering and Banquet Hall (formerly The Handlebar Ranch) at 6695 Co. Rd. 76 Mt. Gilead, OH 43338. The family will greet friends from 4-6:00 pm. Share your stories and memories of Dave starting at 6:00 pm. Dinner, music, and a proper wake in true Patterson style will follow the stories. Put on a smile, BYOB, and come celebrate Dave at the time or in the way that works best for you!

Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead are honored to have been chosen to serve Dave's family. Special memories or condolences may be shared by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.