- Born on: January 1, 1900
- Departed on: July 1, 2015
- Resided in: Oskaloosa, IA
John Walker Patterson
John Walker Patterson was born in July 1922, at Ozark, AR, to Orel Walker and Mary Delle Hight Patterson. He died on July 1, 2015, at Crystal Heights Care Center, Oskaloosa, Iowa.
A Memorial Service celebrating John's life will be at College Avenue Friends Church in Oskaloosa on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. followed with a luncheon and fellowship.
John graduated Danville, IL, High School in 1940 and worked one year as a lineman for Illinois Bell Telephone before enlisting in the Army-Air Force. After pilot training he served in the South-West Pacific Theater, flying 148 combat missions in B25G, OA-10A & C47 aircraft. He returned home in 1945 as a First Lieutenant.
A member of the Farm House Fraternity, John graduated Iowa State University with a B.S. degree in Animal Husbandry in 1952. He earned an M.S. in Adult Education at ISU in 1973.
John married Mary Ruth Anderson of St. Paul, MN, in 1953.
Both his formal and informal training served him well during the 33 years he was employed by the Iowa State University Extension Service working with 4-H and Youth in county and area programs including project training, county and state fairs, and camps as Agriculture Agent in Howard County and lastly as Director in Mahaska County.
After retiring in 1986 John & Mary became full-time volunteers with Heifer Project International serving as host couple at Heifer's Learning Centers in Arkansas and Massachusetts for six years & then as Project Director for Heifer in Alabama, Florida and Georgia for 8 years.
A member of College Avenue Friends Church, he served as treasurer and on numerous committees. He enjoyed membership in community organizations and especially People To People International, Ruritan, and working with Farmer's Market.
John was a lifelong learner with many interests, notably gardening, nature study, group recreation and games, photography, world travel, volunteering and reading.
Left to remember his love for life and his wonderful sense of humor are his wife Mary Patterson, his sister Linda Fuqua, Oskaloosa, children Lise (John) Hedstrom, Decorah, IA; Lynn (David Hart) Patterson, Cornelius, OR; William Patterson, Oskaloosa; and Erin (Donald Grunig) Patterson, Oskaloosa. His grandchildren include Laurel Iber, Siri Hedstrom, John Patterson, Ian Grunig, Christopher Patterson, and Anneliese Grunig; one brother-in-law, Larry Anderson, Towner, ND; one sister-in-law, Dolores Anderson, Farmington Hills, MI, and myriad cousins, nieces and nephews and their families.
Memorials may be made to the Patterson family, to College Friends Church, or the Charity of your choice.
A Memorial Service celebrating John's life will be at College Avenue Friends Church in Oskaloosa on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. followed with a luncheon and fellowship.
John graduated Danville, IL, High School in 1940 and worked one year as a lineman for Illinois Bell Telephone before enlisting in the Army-Air Force. After pilot training he served in the South-West Pacific Theater, flying 148 combat missions in B25G, OA-10A & C47 aircraft. He returned home in 1945 as a First Lieutenant.
A member of the Farm House Fraternity, John graduated Iowa State University with a B.S. degree in Animal Husbandry in 1952. He earned an M.S. in Adult Education at ISU in 1973.
John married Mary Ruth Anderson of St. Paul, MN, in 1953.
Both his formal and informal training served him well during the 33 years he was employed by the Iowa State University Extension Service working with 4-H and Youth in county and area programs including project training, county and state fairs, and camps as Agriculture Agent in Howard County and lastly as Director in Mahaska County.
After retiring in 1986 John & Mary became full-time volunteers with Heifer Project International serving as host couple at Heifer's Learning Centers in Arkansas and Massachusetts for six years & then as Project Director for Heifer in Alabama, Florida and Georgia for 8 years.
A member of College Avenue Friends Church, he served as treasurer and on numerous committees. He enjoyed membership in community organizations and especially People To People International, Ruritan, and working with Farmer's Market.
John was a lifelong learner with many interests, notably gardening, nature study, group recreation and games, photography, world travel, volunteering and reading.
Left to remember his love for life and his wonderful sense of humor are his wife Mary Patterson, his sister Linda Fuqua, Oskaloosa, children Lise (John) Hedstrom, Decorah, IA; Lynn (David Hart) Patterson, Cornelius, OR; William Patterson, Oskaloosa; and Erin (Donald Grunig) Patterson, Oskaloosa. His grandchildren include Laurel Iber, Siri Hedstrom, John Patterson, Ian Grunig, Christopher Patterson, and Anneliese Grunig; one brother-in-law, Larry Anderson, Towner, ND; one sister-in-law, Dolores Anderson, Farmington Hills, MI, and myriad cousins, nieces and nephews and their families.
Memorials may be made to the Patterson family, to College Friends Church, or the Charity of your choice.
