Gale D. Patterson was born on August 16, 1925 at Melvern, Kansas, the son of Verlin John and Miriam Criss Patterson. He passed to his eternal life on January 10, 2018 at Stormont-Vail Hospital with his family by his side. He was the fourth born in a family of six.
Gale married Dorothy Fitch on October 10, 1947 in Ottawa, Kansas. Gale is survived by his wife Dorothy of 70 years; his three daughters, Nancy Yockey and husband Larry, Connie Butts and husband Allen, Sandra Bullock and husband Terry; his son, Daryl Patterson and wife Gloria, all of Melvern; twelve grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; and one brother, R.D. Patterson and wife Norma of Melvern. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Louise Privat and Norma Dee Arb; and two brothers, Maurice Patterson and Otis Patterson.
Gale attended Rock Creek Grade School, a one-room school, and graduated from Melvern High School in 1943. After graduation, Gale served in the U.S. Army during World War II along with his two brothers, Otis and Maurice. He was privileged to take an Honor Flight trip to Washington D.C. in 2007. He was honored to have served his country.
After his return from the service, he moved to his farm east of Melvern where he farmed and was a cattleman.
Gale worked for the Corps of Engineers at Melvern Lake until his retirement in 1988. In 2017 he received his 50-year membership plaque from the Woodward-Belt-Heilman-Arb American Legion Post #317. He was a member of the True Grace Community Church at Melvern.
Gale's greatest enjoyment came from attending his grandkids' and great-grandkids' sporting events, 4-H events and any other activities they participated in. He loved when the family was altogether.
Gale was a shining example of the character that defines the "Greatest Generation". He instilled in his family his strength and traditional American values. Those of us touched by him were given a gift we can never repay.
Gale was a prankster and loved making people smile. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor, his friendly personality and most of all, that he was a wonderful Dad and Grandfather, leaving us with memories that make us laugh and cry.
Gale, enjoy your crown in Heaven that you've earned.
Funeral services for Gale will be at 11:30am on Monday, January 15, at the Feltner Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends from 10:00am until service time on Monday. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery east of Melvern. Memorial contributions may be made to the Melvern Post #317 or the True Grace community Church, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home.