Gerald Henry Patterson

Gerald "Jerry" Henry Patterson of Georgetown, Texas, passed away on December 7, 2025, at the age of 88. He passed peacefully at home, with his loved ones at his side. He was a loving husband, father, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Jerry was born in Pittsburgh, PA, to Stephen Louis "Pat" Patterson and Cora Jane Patterson (nee Fahnestock) on June 14, 1937. He graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, OH in 1955. After high school, he began studying mathematics, but eventually moved on to earning a major in chemistry at Hiram College, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in 1959. Later, attending Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, he completed his Master's degree in Chemistry.

Professionally, he worked as a Supervising Research Chemist at Lubrizol in Wickliffe, OH, for 35 years, retiring for the first time in 1997. His second career did not bring him far from chemistry. He retired a second time following 12 years at the College of Wooster in Wooster, OH, as the Stockroom Manager in the Chemistry Department.

He married his life partner and best friend, Sarah Lou Miner, on July 23, 1988, in Euclid, OH. They lived for a number of years in Chesterland, OH, where they welcomed their son, Kyle Douglas Patterson, in 1993. Later, they moved to Wooster, OH, where they raised Kyle through high school, and finally settled in Georgetown, TX, where he and Sarah enjoyed an active second retirement in the warm weather.

Jerry and Sarah were made for each other and shared a wonderful life together, including 37 ½ years of marriage. They enjoyed traveling and visited many locations around the United States, Canada, and Europe with Lois and Rod. The Pattersons, who were professional clowns, performed as Giraffie and Sarahbelle, entertaining children at birthday parties and other events as well as Christian ministry.

As they raised Kyle, Jerry enjoyed reading, spent time bicycling, camping, and their shared love of tennis. They enjoyed regularly traveling around the Midwest for Kyle's junior tennis tournaments, where Kyle would go on to play tennis at the collegiate level (just like Jerry) while he attended Baldwin Wallace University.

Jerry was a warm, patient, and caring person, and loved his children. He had a great sense of humor that left an impression on anyone he met. Jerry and Sarah were members of Hill Country Bible Church Sun City, where he was very active in his men's Bible study for many years. The family would like to extend sincere thanks and is especially grateful for how loving and patient they were to him during his mental decline towards the end.

Jerry is preceded in death by his sister, Lois Patterson Case, of Georgetown, TX, who passed away in October 2024. Jerry is survived by his wife, Sarah, his daughter Kathi (Jeff) Workman (nee Patterson) of Fircrest, WA, and his sons Mark (Gayle) Patterson of Seattle, WA, and Neal (Lisa) Patterson of Madison, OH, and Kyle Patterson. He also leaves six grandchildren (Wyatt, Weston, Elle, Taylor, Spencer, and Chelsey), one great-grandson (Callaghan), and many family members who loved him.

The Memorial Service will he held on December 18, 2025, at 10:00 am at the Ramsey Funeral Home at 5600 Williams Drive in Georgetown, TX, with Pastor Mike O'Bannion of the Hill Country Bible Church, Sun City, officiating. A small reception will follow after service.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Alzheimer's Association in Jerry's memory.

For those unable to attend, please view the livestream here:

In Memory of Gerald Henry Patterson