In Loving Memory of Tommy Joe Patterson May 01, 1940 – June 16, 2025 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 Tommy Joe Patterson, Christian, beloved husband, father, son, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, neighbor, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 85 on June 16, 2025, at his Woodstock home surrounded by his family. He bravely fought the Parkinson’s battle for ten years. He will be remembered for his immense love for his family, for whom he was a steadfast provider, his lifelong commitment to hard work, and his enthusiasm for history and nature.
Born in Atlanta, Texas, on May 1, 1940, to Travis B. and Opal Marie Patterson. He attended Queen City, Texas, and Texarkana, Arkansas, schools. He began the early years of his career in the painting business alongside his dad. Later, he joined the workforce at Red River Army Depot, where he worked for 37 years, retiring in 1995. He served as Division Chief in Rubber Products, where he was well respected for his steadfast dedication and unwavering support of his employees. He served eighteen months in Vietnam as civilian support to the United States Army.
In his personal life, Tommy found pleasure in many activities. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. During his retirement years, he enjoyed raising cattle, bailing hay alongside his friends and family, and loved making work-related road trips with his nephew, Lee Forrester. He could be found cheering the Arkansas Razorbacks to victory or watching old Westerns for hours. Tommy cherished spending time with his family, sharing stories, laughing, supervising, and always making sure that he got the last word in. He had a nickname for everyone and on special occasions wrote poetry to share with family and friends. He was affectionately known by those closest to him as Papaw.
Tommy was preceded in death by his earthly father and mother, Travis B. and Opal Marie Patterson; paternal grandparents, Jay Joseph Patterson and Mae Isabel Draper Patterson; his maternal grandparents, Elmer Marion Wilson and Purnie “Pampy” Wilson; brother, Waylon Patterson; great-grandsons Nathan Garrett Dennis and Parker Fenton; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Trevor and Mildred Forrester; brother-in-laws, Gilbert Garrett and Kevin Forrester; and nephew, Lee Forrester.
Tommy is survived by the love of his life and wife of 34 years, Glenda Forrester Patterson; his children, Sherri McRae (Neil), Becky Funderburg (Terry), Jackie Hallmark (Larry Don), Todd Patterson (Andrea), Rip England (Nikki), and Rachel Strain (Joe Hart). His legacy will live on through his children, twenty-four grandchildren, and thirty-eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Patty (Paul) Howell and Reba Garret; sister-in-law, Jane Forrester; special friend and neighbor, Jimmy Howell; nieces, nephews, and countless friends. Tommy will be greatly missed and forever remembered by each of us.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at Woodstock Cemetery in New Boston, Texas, with Peyton Wyatt officiating. Services will be under the direction of Bates Family Funeral Home.
The dignity, love, support, and care shown to Tommy and his family by his loving caregiver, Kim Estes, Dr. Dean Bowman, Susan Leftwich, NP, Mid South Transitions Medical Group, Elara Home Caring , Peggy RN, Shaka Bowie, Angie Farris, doctors, nurses, and staff with our Texarkana Hospice family, along with many family members and friends, is gratefully acknowledged and will never be forgotten.
In lieu of flowers, please honor his memory with donations to: Woodstock Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 375, New Boston, Texas, 75570 Online registration at www.batesfamilyfuneralhome.com.
