James Leon (Jim) Patterson

Matt Boster

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Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Oct 16 2017 9:12 AM

James Leon (Jim) Patterson, 74, of Dothan, Alabama died Friday, October 13 of heart failure.

Mr. Patterson was a whole body donor to medical research. In keeping with his wishes there will be no traditional funeral home service. Instead a gathering is to be in Dothan, Alabama on Saturday October 21 beginning at 3pm with a military presentation followed by a reception with family and friends. Location is forthcoming. He and his wife Susan were long-time donors to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude’s or the charity of your choice are appreciated.

Jim was born on July 18, 1943 in Hialeah, Florida and grew up in Rockford, Alabama where he graduated from Coosa County High School and attended Faulkner State in Montgomery. He served in the US Air Force as an air craft mechanic before enjoying his career in the airline industry beginning with Southern Airways and retiring with Delta Airlines. During his tenure as station manager at the Dothan Airport he was involved in organizing the Alabama Air Fair and other air shows. Upon retiring from the airline industry, he moved on to work in the transportation industry beginning with Lane Trucking. Not one to stay retired for long, he joined Collins Signs and then Florida Sign Erectors. In addition to his service and work life, he was a proud Optimist Club Member, Northview High School Band Booster (and brave chaperone), Dixie Youth League Baseball coach, and served with scores of various volunteer organizations. He and his wife Susan are members of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Jim enjoyed all kinds of music and grew up singing and playing his guitar with various bands and choirs. He loved camping, fishing, riding his Harley when able, and cheering on the Auburn Tigers. Most of these hobbies included his best little buddy rescue dog Harley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herschel and Doris Patterson of Rockford, Alabama and his third wife Sandy of Dothan.

He is survived by his wife Susan Patterson, sister Jeani Holder, daughter Shelli Patterson, son Gary Patterson, grandsons Travis Patterson and Taylor Patterson, great granddaughters Holly and Kenleigh, adopted children Jennifer and Brian Jacobsen, Melanie and Lance Sponsler, Jeremy and Amy Meyers, and Trey Meyers; adopted grandchildren Baron, Grant, Sutton, Ella and Mack. Also surviving are first wife Gale Reynolds of Rockford, brother-in-law Don Holder, nephew Greg Holder, niece Kristen Moore, second wife Carol Patterson and a host of cousins and friends.

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