Robert Lee Patterson

Robert Lee “Pat” Patterson of Sandusky passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 27, 2024. He was 95 years old but remained active until his death. He was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Christine Simmons Patterson, who died in 2020 at the age of 90. He also was predeceased by his oldest grandchild, Kristen Patterson Trowbridge, who died at 36 in 2018. He was born on April 29, 1929, on the border of Elmore and Chilton counties to James Mack Duffy Patterson and Ida Belle Reynolds Patterson. He served in the Alabama National Guard in the 167th Infantry Regiment and marched in the first Veteran’s Day Parade in the nation, which was held in Birmingham. In 1951 the Regiment was called to fight in the First Calvary Division in the Korean War, and he was promoted to Staff Sgt. Before deployment he and Christine married in a small ceremony in the parsonage of the Sandusky Methodist Church. He received additional training at Fort Benning, GA, including Intelligence and Reconnaissance School, before being deployed to Korea. He fought north of the 38th parallel on Hill 266, more commonly known as Old Baldy. He was then transferred to the Intelligence Unit at the nearby headquarters and promoted to First Sgt. His Fort Benning training allowed him to read topographical maps and daily aerial surveillance photos and advise officers where to order bombing and napalm strikes. After combat, he spent some time in the Military Police supervising a small town in Occupied Japan. When his tour of duty was done, he returned home and started work at what is now US Steel in Fairfield. He also attended electronics school and was promoted to electrician at the steel plant, along with starting his own business repairing radios and televisions. In 1954 Pat and Christine bought the house where they lived for the remainder of their lives, and where they raised two children. He was a Freemason for 69 years and a member of Brooklin Lodge #704 in Dora at the time of his death. Survivors include a son, Bruce L. Patterson (Sandy) of Sumiton; a daughter, Victoria Patterson Stansell of Dallas, TX, and his sister, Faye Patterson Cockrell of Gardendale. Also surviving are four grandchildren: Brett L. Patterson (Kadee) of Birmingham; Haley Stansell Byrd (Jason) of Lubbock, TX; Kenneth Stansell (Alyssa) of Fayetteville, NC , and Logan Stansell of Dallas, TX, along with six great-grandchildren: Evelyn Trowbridge, Thomas Trowbridge, Alexander Trowbridge, Sloane Byrd, Cooper Byrd, and Emerson Stansell. Funeral services will be at New Horizon Memorial Funeral Home, 5203 Hollis Goodwin Road, Dora, AL. Visitation will be at Noon on Wednesday, August 7, with the service at 1 p.m., Rev. Guy Moore officiating. A Masonic Graveside Service will follow in the adjoining cemetery. Funeral services will be Wednesday Aug. 7, 24 at 1:00 pm in the New Horizon Memorial Chapel. Rev. Guy Moore will officiate. Burial will follow in New Horizon Memorial Gardens, with Military and Masonic rites. Visitation is from 12-1 pm. New Horizon Memorial Funeral Home directing 205-648-2323

Robert Lee Patterson

April 29, 1929 - July 27, 2024