James Rozell Patterson Jr., 73, of Wilmington, passed away Saturday, April 23, 2016, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington following a brief illness.
Born April 3, 1943, to the late James Rozell Patterson and Onita Wicker Patterson of Mamers, North Carolina, James leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Merle Davis Patterson; daughters, Gay Patterson Jernigan of Wilmington and Carrie Patterson Clarke, and her husband, Ken, of Wilmington; son, James Rozell Patterson III, and his wife, Toccoa, of Greensboro; grandchildren, Hanna Paige Jernigan, Michael Scott Jernigan, Kenleigh Brooke Patterson Clarke and Harriet Gray Patterson; siblings, Betsy Patterson Sloan (Eldon), Steven Reid Patterson (Sherrie); and nieces, nephews, cousins and friends from all around.
James graduated from Boone Trail High School in 1961. After completing a two-year degree at the Agricultural Institute, he went on to graduate from North Carolina State University in 1969 with a B.S. in agricultural business and crop science.
After settling in Wilmington for the second and final time in 1980, James and Merle joined Winter Park Baptist Church shortly thereafter, where James was an active member for over 35 years, using his talents in multiple facets of the church, but none that excited him more than the Kitchen Committee (James loved food!). James also loved serving others, especially the Lord. He could be found in and around the church throughout the week doing just about anything that needed to be done. He was an avid sports fan, especially when it came to his NCSU Athletics, ‘Go Pack!’ Family and friends were a very important part of his life; he will be greatly missed by all.
Visitation with the family will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday April 27, at Winter Park Baptist Church, 4700 Wrightsville Ave., Wilmington, with a funeral service following at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Winter Park Baptist Church, ‘Kitchen Committee,’ 4700 Wrightsville Ave., Wilmington, NC 28403.
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