Dennis Patterson

Dennis Lee Patterson

January 25, 1950 - February 6, 2025

Dennis Lee Patterson entered into eternal life on February 6, 2025, in the loving embrace of his wife of fifty-one years and his three children. Dennis was determined, hardworking, generous, kind, and a whole lot of fun. Family and friends often loved to get him laughing just to hear his out-of-control, contagious chuckling. His stories often exaggerated and twisted the details, but that too was part of the fun. Enjoying the friendship of many, he eagerly participated in social gatherings of all sorts. Playing basketball, golf and racquetball; teaching his wife to play golf and racquetball; watching his three children and five grandchildren participate in sports or just enjoying the company of family and friends in the backyard were among his favorite past times. As a longtime member of Holy Cross Parish, he enthusiastically and unselfishly shared his gift of faith with countless people. A principled life of loving and nurturing family, friends, neighbors and colleagues earned him the title of "St. Dennis" first suggested by his wife's brother almost fifty years ago.

Dennis proudly graduated from Ohio's West Jefferson schools where he prepared well for college and excelled in sports. The local newspapers even documented some of his high school athletic triumphs, which Dennis humbly shared recently with his grandchildren. Through the years, he enjoyed telling stories about growing up in West Jefferson and his adventures with his childhood buddies. In June 1972, Dennis graduated from Ohio University after earning a Bachelor of Science Degree, enjoying the friendship of many including his Brothers in the Bond of Phi Delta Theta, meeting and dating his future wife, and of course, having a lot of fun.

As the draft for the Vietnam War drew to a close in 1973, Dennis honored his call to serve the country. After attending United States Army basic training at Fort Polk, Louisianna, Dennis faithfully served seven years in the Ohio National Guard where he assisted Ohioans in distress.

The year 1973 was a pivotal year for Dennis. He married his college sweetheart Patricia O'Rourke and began his professional career in human resources and risk services. During his long professional career Dennis worked with a few Cleveland employers including Honeywell Information Systems and the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Through the years, Dennis thrived as he assisted employees and employers in creating professionally productive, personally successful and comfortably safe work environments.

Dennis' fifty-one years of marriage blessed his wife Patty and their three children Brian, Dan and Molly with what can only be described as a wonderful life full of love, kindness and steadfast dedication. Dennis will always remain deeply and affectionately in the hearts of his wife Patricia (O'Rourke) Patterson; his sons Brian (Jean) and Daniel (Hallie); his daughter Molly Payne (Caldwell) and his five grandchildren Henry, Ivy, Laura, Emily and Samuel. Dennis' cherished siblings Mary Ann Thompson (Donald) and Gary along with many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins have played an enormous part in the happiness that made Dennis' life wonderfully full.

Dennis joins his loving parents Arthur and Audrey Patterson, in-laws Michael and Theresa O'Rourke and several other loved ones in the promise of everlasting peace. Dennis' unfaltering love, loyalty and bravery throughout all of life's rewards and challenges have touched the lives of so many. With them, we mourn his loss, but rejoice in the heavenly reward he now enjoys.

In Coelo Quies Est (In Heaven There Is Rest.) traditional epitaph of Phi Delta Theta Chapter Grand.