JAMES "JP" PATTERSON

Melvern - James/Jim "JP" D. Patterson, 71, departed peacefully this life on the morning of September 11, 2025, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. He was born on February 14, 1954, at the doctor's office in Lyndon Kansas, the son of RD and Norma (Arb) Patterson.

Jim grew up in Melvern and was a member of the Melvern High School graduating class of 1972.

After graduating from Melvern High School, he moved to Emporia and started working at Dolly Madison Bakery. Realizing that he didn't want to do that forever, he became a truck driver; first for New Ulm Freightways, then Emporia Wholesale (Evco) and 23 years for Walmart Transportation. He was based out of the Ottawa Distribution Center. While driving for Walmart, he had many accomplishments but was most proud that he had earned their 2-Million-Mile safe miles award. He retired from driving in the fall of 2018.

In May of 1975, Jim married Jane Gardner in Emporia, Kansas. To this marriage, a son Jason was born. They later divorced. Jim married Lorrie Stokes Miller in May of 1985. They moved to Ottawa so they could be closer to Jim's work. Later they divorced.

Jim loved being around and socializing with family members and his truck driving friends. He also enjoyed being outdoors and having leisure time at the family farms around the Melvern community. He used this outdoor time to enjoy target shooting with family members and friends as well as cutting wood. Indoors, Jim enjoyed reading and learning about American History, specifically, The Battles of World War II and The Vietnam War. He also was a big Kansas City Chiefs fan, and you could catch him watching their games whenever he could.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his mother, Norma, passed in January of 2020 and his father, RD, passed in November of 2023. His paternal grandparents were Verlin and Miriam Patterson and maternal grandparents were Earl and Mary Arb. Many aunts, uncles and several cousins also preceded him in death.

Jim is survived by his son Jason (Malissa) Krause, Melvern; two grandsons Mason Krause, Junction City and Raylen Krause, Melvern. A brother, Bill (Judy) Patterson, Lyndon; two nephews: Trent (Jordan) and great niece Pippa Patterson, Tampa, Florida and Ryan (Katie) and great nephews Caleb and Randall Patterson, Springdale, Arkansas; as well as several aunts and many cousins.

Graveside services for Jim will be at 11:00am on Monday, September 15 at the Melvern Cemetery, west of Melvern, Kansas. Memorial contributions in memory of Jim may be made to the Melvern Community Center, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Avenue, Lyndon, KS 66451.

The family would like to thank all of the health care providers that have helped take care of Jim through the years. A special shout out to those at the Overbrook Brookside Retirement Community and the physicians and nurses at Stormont Vail Hospital and the University of Kansas Medical Center.