James White PATTERSON

1930 - 2016

PATTERSON, James White
June 22, 1930 - May 16, 2016

Dr. James White "Jim" Patterson passed away very peacefully on Monday, May 16, 2016 at the age of 85, with his children at his side.

Jim was born in Santa Anna, Texas on June 22, 1930, to Reverend Joseph Isham Patterson and Caroline Anderson White Patterson. The middle of three rambunctious boys, Jim and his brothers were raised to live with faith, integrity, and a love of life. Following the church's calling, the Patterson family moved often throughout north central Texas, and Jim quickly learned to meet and befriend all those who crossed his path. He retained friendships with hundreds of friends, fraternity brothers, co-workers, and students over his 85+ years.

Jim was graduated from Graham High School in 1948, then followed in his father and older brother's footsteps to attend Southern Methodist University in Dallas. At SMU, Jim had a grand time making lifetime friends in the brotherhood of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and received his Bachelor of Arts in History in 1952. He continued his education at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, where he lived with relatives at Anchorage, the family estate, while working on his Masters in American History.

Upon receiving his Masters' degree in 1954, Jim entered the military with basic training at Fort Ord, California and was stationed at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Denver, Colorado. Once out of the military, Jim began his teaching career in the Fort Worth public school system at Paschal High School.

In Fort Worth, Jim met his cherished wife of 55 years, Carolyn Beth Pruet, at an art opening where her art work was being shown. Jim continued to impress Carolyn with his wit and charm, and the two soon starting dating. After marrying on December 26, 1960, Jim and Carolyn lived and started their family in Fort Worth before moving to Austin, where Jim earned his Doctorate in Education from The University of Texas in Austin in 1969.

Jim was a champion for education - he continued his teaching career at Austin College and then returned to SMU as a professor in the School of Education. After deciding to leave academia, Jim and his family made their last move, back to Austin, where Jim worked as Assistant Director of Secondary Personnel for the Austin Independent School District, recruiting and hiring many great teachers for the area public schools until his retirement in 1992. Even after retirement from AISD, Jim continued to support high quality education, performing teacher evaluations for Texas State University around the Central Texas area.

A proud Methodist, Jim was a long-time member of Northwest Hills United Methodist Church and blessed the congregation for over 30 years with his smooth, booming bass voice singing in numerous choirs and quartets within the church and community. He was a popular and enthusiastic member of the "Getting Better All the Time" (GBATTS) singers, where he was nicknamed "THE Voice".

Jim enjoyed many sports, including tennis, golf, water and snow skiing, and sailing Lake Travis. He was a formidable bridge player and relished any kind of cards, dominos, and other games. Jim was bursting with humor, and all those who knew him will always remember special times, anecdotes and stories - and if he couldn't come up with a good joke for a particular situation, he was prone to simply make one up on the spot (he was especially keen on elephant jokes!).

Always the gentleman, Jim exuded kindness and dignity. He bonded with those he met, and held dear friends made from grade school all the way to recent years in medical care. He was friendly, witty, and entertaining, and owned a kingdom of wealth in his many friendships. Jim radiated joy, and blessed was the person on the receiving end of his bear hug, warm smile, and twinkling blue eyes - he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Jim was devoted to his family, and was thrilled to have his children and grandchildren living nearby in Austin - some of his favorite memories were family vacations in Colorado, New Mexico, the Texas Coast, golfing (anywhere), sailing on Lake Travis and visiting relatives in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Jim's family extends a sincere and heart-felt thank you to the caregivers and staff at Brookdale Spicewood Springs (formerly Emeritus), Retirement & Nursing Home Center, and Hospice Austin.

Jim will be deeply missed by his wife of 55 years, Carolyn, his two children Blake Edward Patterson and Roslyn Caroleen Patterson Breen, son-in-law Sean Edward Breen and daughter-in-law Angie Hartel Patterson, and treasured grandchildren Connor, Logan, Ryan and Dillon Breen and Ava and Finley Patterson - all of Austin.

Jim is also survived by his brothers Joseph Redwine Patterson and Julian Culver Patterson, sister-in-law Ann Patterson and numerous nieces, nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his mother Caroline Anderson White Patterson, father Reverend Joseph Isham Patterson, brother-in-law Ronald Burton Pruet, Sr., and sister-in-law Ann Cumber Patterson.

A memorial service will be held at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church at 2:00pm Sunday, May 22, 2016, officiated by Reverend Audrey Spencer and Dr. Ray Kiser, with a reception immediately following in the church fellowship building.

The family would be pleased if memorial donations were made to one of the below organizations, or to any charity of your choice:

Northwest Hills United Methodist Church
http://www.nwhillsumc.org/
Settlement Home for Children
https://www.settlementhome.org/
Mainspring Schools
http://www.mainspringschools.org/
Helping Hand Home for Children
http://www.helpinghandhome.org/
Health Alliance for Austin Musicians
https://www.myhaam.org/

Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at
www.wcfish.com