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Charles Patterson Obituary
He was a true Renaissance man know for an unending number of passions. He had a deep love for flying, as he enjoyed building model and full-scale airplanes and belonged to the Sam's Fortyniners in California. He also built boats and remodeled old cars. He loved fishing for tuna, halibut and king salmon. He raised Labrador retrievers, enjoyed attending USC football games, operas and plays, and was a master gardener. He loved making his own jams, wine and beer, cooking, baking bread, and raising his date trees.
In Newport Beach, he met the love of his life, Diane (Belmonte). They shared 31 years of marriage, and traveled together extensively. They fished in Alaska and Mexico; went hunting and horseback riding; and enjoyed entertaining their many friends. Pat was Diane's Knight in Shining Armor. He will be forever remembered for his kindness, love, joy and sense of humor by his loving wife, Diane, daughters Teri and Charlotte, son Patrick, son-in-laws, John and Jason; daughter-in-law Julie; and grandchildren, Violet, Jessica and Scott and many good friends. He left the world a better place for having lived and was a "true southern gentleman". He will be missed more than he could possibly imagine.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles Patterson
Diane Patterson
July 15, 2025
WHERE HAVE THE YEARS GONE......IT SEEMS LIKE ONKY YESTERDAY. I miss just as much as I did July 4, 2013. I love you Pat. I a was and am very proud of you. It was my lucky day when you asked me out to dinner, Love you forever Diane
Teri
July 12, 2021
I loved my dad more than he ever knew. Diane, I am so thankful that you were his loving wife...you showed him unconditional love.
I thank God for you being in his life...Teri
July 27, 2014
Pat I think of you every single day and still cry .... you taught me so much and gave me so much.. I just hope you truly knew how much I loved you. NO ONE COULD EVER TAKE YOUR PLACE YOU ARE FOREVER IN MY HEART AND SOLE AND MIND. LOVE YOU FOREVER.
Claudette Marcott
December 15, 2013
I truly miss your heart in the world Dr. Patterson. You were a GREAT man. I owe you my life and now I'm working to try and make this world a little better by being a great care giver as you were. You enspired so much out of so many even though you didn't think so. I truly miss you. I wish I would have had more time to reconnect with you. You're forever in my soul.
charlotte shergur
November 14, 2013
Pat,it has only been 4 months since your passing...and it has been many weeks since I have cried and thought of you daily...but tonight I went up to the place where I found the wedding ring that you had lost months before you left...and I thought of the moment when I opened that drawer (because Violet told me to) and low and behold there it was...the ring, missing no longer! When I saw it I yelled out to mom, 'I FOUND IT! WE FOUND IT!' And mom started crying and telling me of the efforts the two of you went through when you had realized the ring was lost....she recalled the hours spent and the boxes and rooms you both sorted through and you said to her..."I just can't remember the last time I had it on and what I did with it..." She said you seemed so concerned...so unclear. It is ok..because we have it now, she has it now, and I truly believe you sent a message to your little nudnick and you lead her to its' location. We are taking good care of Bella and Dino, which I know you are aware of, we will be sending them to you soon Pat. I love you and miss you more than I ever could have imagined. Charlotte
Pat and Diane Patterson
September 6, 2013
September 5, 2013
I am so pleased to see that the photos I entered of you got posted...you were so handsome in your younger years...Im talking to you now because I am sitting by your bride listening to her talk to an old friend, Sunny, (you met her) and I am hearing mom convey the story of the day she rushed you to the emergency room. Rod tells me that the more I write and continue to talk to you..the easier it will become for me to hear and think about you and not be so emotionally swayed. Rod said there may never come a time where certain thoughts of you don't reduce me to tears but I am already experiencing the benefits of talking to you now,and it is helping me to focus more on the bright and happy present...and that is a reality where you are calm, painfree and you are ok.....now we are learning to be like you.... we are learning through this ....how to be ...ok. Love you Pat...Violet just mentioned something about you..."papa!" she says....she talks about you all the time Pat. Good night
September 2, 2013
September 2, 2013
Back in the day
September 2, 2013
His favorite passtime
Charles Patterson
September 2, 2013
August 31, 2013
Here it is Labor Day weekend and I miss you so much. l O saw an ad yesterday for Lemon Meringue Pie and I started crying thinking how you enjoyed making them an how beautiful and good they tasted. You always made me a little bowl of the filling since I didn't like the topping. I love you Pat I hope you know how much "(
August 27, 2013
It is amazing how everyone in Yuma knows you....did you know that you are a celebrity? You used to remark on the sad commentary that the majority see the lead singer of a band as more of a hero and a star than the man the saves a life. I am certain that you can see now that you embodied the true hero, the brightest star. YOU MADE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE. Your words made people think and your existence lengthened lives and the quality of it. There will never be another you. I love you. Charlotte
us at dinner with you
August 25, 2013
The last time we spoke you answered the phone because mom wasn't home and you were so excited about Eunice's house and the prospect of trading homes with her and having her come to down stay at the house here and you all getting to know each other. We had been planning your move to Washington for some time and I am thrilled that it gave you something to look forward to....it was exciting. SO many fun things to do, rivers to fish with Jason, mom and I purchasing proper knives with which to clean the fish, and my favorite part, cooking and eating it. THe fruit trees you bought and planted are standing strong against the Washington wind and I am amazed at how much fruit such small, new trees can produce. Those trees will always be yours. We will make sure that whoever lives in that home for years to come, there will be a way that your name will be there. Jason said it first last week, he said being in your house without you here is quite ominous, for him a little spooky I think. I feel like you never left, you are just napping in the other room. Everything here is you, everything here means so much to you. Most importantly your beloved bride and the little noodnick. I watched the video's of the Christmas and Violet's 1st birthday you came to in Vegas. The plan was for you and mom to come up to Washington for Violet's 4th this September. I had no idea that we would be bringing her here, to you, instead. I spoke to Rod Nelson yesterday, you really valued his professional opinion and he explained to me that it was very important that mom and I keep talking to you through typed or written words....he explained all of the positives that come from it for the person writing, but also the gift it gives to Violet when she is older and has memories of her PaPa...and wants to know more about who you are & were. The pictures she can look at, the videos she can watch but the best way for her to get to know you as a grandfather, a father and a husband -is by reading the dialog that each one of us has with you for the rest of our lives. In that way you are still very much here. God willing, I will hang around this world long enough to see Violet fall in love, marry and perhaps have a child. So my relationship with you will continue on all that time through our communication. I will not see your written response but I can hear it, for I know you well enough to hear exactly how you would respond to everything I put on paper. Mostly gruff and grunts, mostly with your head shaking side to side in a manner that lets anyone within eye shot know you are displeased with the way this world has become and the pitiful people in it. I never told you before but when I was very young I used to look out of the side of my eyes to catch that head shake, which would tell me if you agreed or disagreed with what I was saying. A wise and militant man like you did not have much in common with a 13 year old girl so I did not say much....I thought, if I am going to speak to him, it better be good. I didn't know a thing about politics (still don't) and I was raised Catholic, so every once in awhile I could say something that would make you laugh. Til this very day you talk about the time I told you that your 'mind was full of Bandini' (a fertilizer) I was 12- and got lucky with that one. I got to know you best through my mother and the fact that WE love her more than anything ...it's the one thing we really had in common so I clung to that. Every card I sent thanked you for loving her and treating her with respect and never letting her worry about where you were at night ( like she had in past marriages) or the stress of how will the bills get paid, where will food come from....I will never stop thanking you for that. Right now she is confused and I am sure you have heard her this past month asking towards the sky why you left her alone? Once this initial time passes and she can see clearly, she will not feel as if you left her, she will be able to talk to you like she always has...with humor and love and without guilt. She thinks she could have done something different and you'd still be right here,.....there is one thing you have told mom and me since we first became a family, which was that you knew how you wanted to go. I cannot thank you enough for making sure that mom was here when you decided it was time. Remember when we were all there when Grandpa passed on, mom had stepped out of the room for a moment to take a call from her brother and her missing that moment has always plagued her. So thank you for hanging on, and making sure she was here with you. I love you Pat, I wont tell you the obvious, you know where we are and what we are doing. We are living life as you would have wanted and expected us to. I can't wait to tell you about Violet's new school, she talks of you daily. TTyl-Charlotte
August 4, 2013
Pat, is one month today an I miss you more each day.You were right about not seeing your birthday, I wish you had been more truthful with me. You always said I was strong and would be just fine, but I am not strong, it I can't do it without you, please help me. You are the wind beneath my wings and the sun and the stars at night. It was you that made me strong. I look around at everything we did and bought together from all our trips and it is heart breaking.
I was going to write you a letter on your birthday to tell you how much you mean to me. You were truly my White Knight. You made me feel loved, protected and all the other things you did for me. I know I told you that "I was the nicest person you would ever meet" Well Rig you could same said the same about yourself. You are such an accomplished person in so many things that people don't know about, your soft heart and generous nature and quick wit will never be forgotten. This Thanksgiving will be so hard, it was your favorite Holiday but we will try to do good as you did in your honor.
You always made my birthday,anniversary and Xmas so special for me and all i really want is just one more day, hour or minute with my husband .
You always lifted me up when I was down, you always cared what and how I was feeling.
You had so many wonderful qualities
that other people never knew about Pat, their lost not yours.
I just hope that I brought as much love and happiness to you as you did to me. I think you deserved so much more than I gave you. I M SO SO SORRY..There will never be anyone like you .
I had a dream the other night about you and you had me looking something up in the telephone book fore you and when I opened it you had put a post it note on every page that said "I love You" with a little heart on it. It was so real I woke up saying OH PAT! I LOVR YOU PAT YOUR BRIDE DIANE
Rose and Glenn Pennington
August 3, 2013
Pat, you were one of the lucky ones, though you'd never say it. While most people merely sit and dream their dream, you actually went out and lived your dream(s)! Not only were you the true Southern gentleman, but also a gracious host who possessed a humble soul.
Diane, the relection from the light of Pat's love for you will shine on you forever. It is true, there are no words, but the good thoughts, kind memories, and simple prayers of friends and family are there for you.
There's only one thing left to say. Fly safe, Pat, fly safe.
Rose and Glenn
John Carson
July 27, 2013
Pat could talk with anybody about anything. He was a man's man, and the knowledge he had he obtained the old fashioned way--he lived it.
Rest in Peace, Friend.
Bert & Donna Moore
July 26, 2013
Diane, our hearts weep with your loss, I truly wish I had met your husband, stay strong. He is know with our Lord.
Ginger McPartlin
July 25, 2013
Diane so sorry to hear the news about your husband. I'm sorry I never got to me him. He sounds like he was an awesome person and lived life to the fullest. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
George and Judi Hanner
July 25, 2013
Diane, our hearts go out to you in this sad time and our prayers are with you.
July 25, 2013
I know you didn't believe in this, but I am lighting it any way. As Violet says you are the sun and the moon of my life. I love, miss and think of you everyday and night.
I miss you soooooo much :(
July 23, 2013
My step dad...the provider and protector of the family...the man that fell in love with my mother and changed her life forever. My husband's closest fishing buddy, his second dad, and our supporter.You will be missed. I love you Pat.
ALFRED PLACE DELMAR Ny
July 22, 2013
To the Patterson Family, I express my deepest condolences on the passing of your loved one. I
knew him as Lt. Patterson who served with me in the 339th Fighter Squadron. A nice person, good officer and a friend. I have nice picture of him with the made Baka Bomb he built at Johnson Air Force Base in Japan sixty years ago. Al Place, Delmar NY
Ken and Kathi Scott
July 22, 2013
Fly straight and true my friend until we meet again.
Charles H. Marcum
July 22, 2013
Friend Pat, Go West Gently With the Breezes and Continue Forward With Your Journey, perhaps we shall fly again together someday, Charles CFI 1815008
Mohamed & Jeannette Shahenkari
July 22, 2013
We were privileged to meet Pat and Diane on a vacation to the British Isles years ago. We have so many wonderful memories of Pat from that trip. He and my husband became fast friends and shared many laughs together. We want to send our love, prayers and sympathy to Diane and the family. He will be greatly missed.
Judith Marcum
July 22, 2013
Dr. Patterson was one of my first family doctors. Even when he told me I had pneumonia in the examination room, he and my husband shared their airplane stories for several minutes until I convinced both that I needed to go home and get better! He sure loved flying as did my husband, Charles. He was a good man as well as a good doctor. We all will miss him!
Albert & Sharon Gardner
July 22, 2013
Pat will be missed.
Traver & Brandi Buckelew
July 21, 2013
Pat, we will sure miss you. Thank you for taking such good care of our family, and thank you & Diane for the wonderful friendship, hilarious stories shared over delicious dinners, and starting Traver on his path in aviation. We will never forget you! Love to Diane & Char and the rest of your family.
Pat and Arizona
JoAnn & Larry Frederick
July 20, 2013
JoAnn and I will miss our winter visits with Pat and hope that you find comfort knowing that Pat left the way he wanted.
Gene Kershner
July 20, 2013
I served with Charlie in Japan in the 339th Fighter Squadron and in Montana in the 29th Fighter Squadron. He was a dedicated and responsible Air Force officer. I enjoyed his company. We all considered him the smartest among us. He will be missed by all. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the 339th Fighter Squadron Association, I offer condolences to Diane and the family.
Michael & Jennifer Belmonte
July 20, 2013
You were an inspiration to many and somebody worth looking up too, which is rare today. you will be missed!!
Judy & Randy Smith
July 20, 2013
Dr.Patterson was a wonderful Doctor with a sense of humor. God Bless your family.
Lori Cain
July 20, 2013
I am greatful for Pat's kindness and generosity, and for taking such great care and loving my friend, Diane. You two were a wonderful together and you will be missed. Stay strong my friend Diane, may the memories of your life together bring some peace instead of pain in the days and years ahead.
Love, Lori
Vickie & Mark Bender
July 20, 2013
Dr. Patterson was our family Dr. when we first moved to Yuma in 1989 and remained our Dr. until he retired. Our boys were young and were either breaking bones or needing stitches (sometimes after hours). Our boys, Brian and Timothy LOVED Dr. Patterson, he was so good with them. We have a story or two that we still talk about now and then, and it makes us laugh and think of Dr. Patterson. He was a true gentleman who loved his wife, Diane, always referring to her as his "beautiful bride." Thank you Dr. Patterson for taking such good care of our family. We were lucky to have you as our Dr. May you rest in peace.
Lillian and Richard Reis
July 20, 2013
You were the best boss ever. Thank you for your lifelong friendship. Never ever ever forgotten. We always laugh out loud when talking bout you! Your stories will live on. Hope you're celebrating your birthday.
Your Wife Diane
July 20, 2013
Love and miss you so much my light has gone out of my life
Karen Lord
July 20, 2013
What a great man. He gave me a hard time, all the time but I gave back as good as he gave. He will be missed. He made his mark on the world in many ways. Rest is peace Pat. You deserve it.
July 19, 2013
july 19, 2013 working for Pat for even a short time as I did, it was apparent he was compassionate and a great healer. we will miss him. love lynn rick
Raymond Corona
July 19, 2013
Diane and Family,
Our deepest sympathies to you and your family, Doc was a wonderful man!!
R.R. Corona
Carole Espinoza
July 19, 2013
Thank you Dr. Patterson for taking care of all of us. May you rest in peace. God bless your family.
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