Stratton Chase "Da Butcha" Patterson

Stratton Chase Patterson fought a lifelong and courageous battle with Cystic Fibrosis, never allowing the disease to slow down or define him. He packed so much life into 28 years. Many patients are expected to live a life with limited opportunities, but not Stratton. He lived a full life outdoors on boats and hunting.

Stratton's love for the outdoors stemmed from Boarshead Ranch in Dade City, Florida. His father, Rick Patterson, joined the lease with many other close South Tampa families. Boarshead was so special to Stratton, as it's where he grew up hunting with his brother, Stokes, and some of his best friends - Mark and Max Gauthier and Matthew Everett. During hunting season, Stratton could be found in either a deer stand or a turkey blind. If you know Stratton, he always had everything he needed, except toilet paper. Stratton made many memories out there and even earned himself the title of "Da Butcha" for a legendary hog hunt and then captured the title again after harvesting two wild turkeys with one shot (His brother, Stokes, is still mad he slept in that morning).

Stratton also grew up with a fond love of the water. He could always be found on the dock or on the boat. He loved to fish for snook and developed a talent for fly fishing. He was a skilled boat captain, receiving his boating license and an antique blue-bottom Boston Whaler skiff at age 10. Well, with the exception of one Easter night when he decided to run the channel with no spotlight; that didn't go well. When asked why, he said "Because it was fun". Stratton loved fun!

One of Stratton's favorite memories on the water was serving as a first mate on a 50' Merritt sportfishing yacht in the Bahamas for Bentley and family. Stratton always talked about how much fun he had once work was finished for the day and how kind the family was to him. Stratton and Bentley seemed like two peas in a pod, bringing enough Miller Lite over from the states to just about sink the ship and having enough Goombay Smashes to just about drink the islands dry. He always said that the end of that last summer was one of his hardest goodbyes, as he felt like he was a part of the family. Stratton was a part of so many families.

Stratton's rambunctious phase really showed when he started attending his Alma-Mater, Florida State University. He was in the classroom sometimes but knew how to have fun. Friends of his would come over with a case of beer occasionally and they'd drop everything to hop on the boat, hit the firing range, or just spend some time outdoors. Stratton was no stranger to company at his house, which, leave it up to Stratton, was formerly a homemade "exotic dancing club", with poles and all. The house was located on a hill, directly above a Chik-Fil-A. It worked out perfectly for Stratton because it was open late. Even funnier, his chocolate lab, Red, would wander down the hill to get chicken nuggets from the drive-thru window and they knew him on a first-name basis.

While at FSU, Stratton found his purpose through the University's chapter of Ducks Unlimited. Stratton served as President for three years and loved every minute. More importantly, Stratton made some of his best friends through this organization, including Matt Brockman and Presley Hogan. Before Stratton was involved, the chapter was low in numbers and nothing out of the ordinary. Stratton loved being able to bring people together and came up with his own special twist on events. Stratton and his friends came up with the idea of fundraising through barbeque cookouts and low-country boils. Everyone knew Strat was a fantastic cook and was sure to be a hit. Soon enough, everyone was showing up at Stratton's house, dubbed "The Duck House", to grab a plate of his famous barbeque ribs, pork, or some crawfish. In typical Stratton fashion, nobody left without having a couple of beers. Before Stratton and his friends knew it, FSU DU was the talk of the town and membership soared. Stratton was never a member of Greek life but effectively made his own fraternity with some of the best company anybody could ask for, all for a great cause – promoting wildlife conservation.

Soon after college, Stratton returned to Savannah to spend time with his mother before starting his career. Before he knew it, Stratton was hired to help run a quail hunting plantation in South Carolina. He was up well before sunrise prepping hunting dogs and his horse for a day of flushing out quail. He always mentioned how much enjoyment he got out of riding on horseback daily.

While in South Carolina, Stratton fell ill due to complications with Cystic Fibrosis and returned to his home in Savannah with his mother, Gabrielle. Stratton had an intestinal blockage as well as recurrent lung infections; needless to say he was in and out of hospitals and emergency rooms for months. Stratton's condition continued to decline and he was eventually admitted into Candler Hospital in Savannah. Stratton was diagnosed with a severe lung infection, which became septic, leading to the failure of his liver and kidneys. He was airlifted to Emory Hospital in Atlanta via plane and received a life-saving liver transplant. Stratton eventually stabilized but was at Emory for months; he lost significant muscle mass and lost the ability to walk, clothe, and feed himself. Stratton was soon moved to Emory's rehab facility, where he worked tirelessly to regain his motor function. He was told that he would not be walking before the holidays. Stratton, stubborn and determined as ever, was walking in weeks and made it home to Savannah on December 4th. Stratton even made it to his best friend Presley Hogan's wedding in January, sporting a bronze cane. He made the best of his situation, pretending to be an old southern gentleman with the cane. He made a joke to open up with "Excuse me, young man…" to every waiter at the wedding.

Understandably, Stratton needed some time off of work in Savannah to mend himself back into good health. Shortly after his mend, Gabrielle, Stokes, and Stratton were able to attend Kevin's Game Fair in Thomasville, Georgia and spend time in Boca Grande, Florida, Stratton's favorite place in the world, with dear friends. They also enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime to hunt in South Africa, with some time in Frankfurt, Germany. Stratton loved his Bavarian heritage and finally had the chance to have the best beer and Bavarian food of his life in Frankfurt. While in South Africa, Stratton harvested an impressive 4 trophies, including a Kudu, Waterbuck, Impala, and Blue Wildebeest. Stratton had always dreamed of harvesting a Kudu and in his typical fashion, got the largest one out of anyone at the camp.

Soon after this trip of a lifetime, Stratton lost the battle with his health. He is survived by parents Rick and Gabrielle, brother Stokes, and his chocolate lab, Red. Stratton will always be remembered as a funny, outgoing soul with strong love in his heart for all of his friends and family, and grit that lasted up until the moment he passed.