Vernal Wayne “Pat” Patterson

Vernal Wayne “Pat” Patterson, 79, born July 21, 1941, in Foose, Missouri, to Harold and Vinita Patterson. He passed Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at Colonial Springs Healthcare Center.

Vernal graduated from Buffalo High School in 1959 and soon after married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Loudermilk. After marriage, Vernal soon joined the Army and was in the Headquarter Company 237th Engineers Battalion. He was able to see more of the world when stationed in Heilbronn, Germany. He and Carolyn traveled throughout Europe while there.

After serving in the Army, Vernal and Carolyn returned to Buffalo to begin their family. Vernal landed his career job with Empire District Electric Company, working in Greenfield, Bolivar and Ozark. Vernal worked there for 29 years before taking a medical retirement. After retiring Vernal returned to Buffalo and farming. He started a dairy and after a few years converted the farm to beef cattle.

Vernal was immensely proud of what his three children had accomplished in life and of being a Masonic lodge member, Riddick Lodge 361 of Buffalo, for 50 plus years.

Vernal was preceded in death by both parents; a sister, Wilma June Bradley; a brother-in-law, Gene Bradley; and a great-granddaughter, Sophia Jessee.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, of 61 years; two sons: Eric (friend Rejane Martinez) of Fredericksburg, Va., and Emmett (wife Patricia “Patty”) of Buffalo; and a daughter, Erin (wife Patty) of Sun City Center, Fla. Vernal also has three granddaughters: Jennifer Klopstein (husband John), Candice Hart (husband Patrick) and Kelli Jessee (husband Nathan); and seven great-grandchildren: Bella and Jack Klopstein, Julian Sayler, Ethan and Evelyn Hart, and Aiden and Caleb Jessee.