The Rev. John Dobbs (Jack) Patterson, 81, a long-time pastor and former Johnstown District Superintendent, died Saturday, Sept. 22 at Grove City Medical Center.
Rev. Patterson was married to Dorothy L. Patterson, who preceded him in death in 2009, for 58 years.
A graduate of Akron (Ohio) East High School, Geneva College and Westminster Theological Seminary, he served churches in Wampum; Eastbrook; West Middlesex; Union City; Chippewa; Butler; and Indiana, and was superintendent of the Johnstown District from 1978-84. Known for his preaching, pastoral care and storytelling during his 61 years of ordained ministry, Jack was apst president of the National Council on Evangelism.
When he retired in 1992, Jack and Dottie moved to a home in Grove City and for a time he served as pastor at Barkeyville UM Church and as chaplain at Orchard Manor Nursing Home, where he was a resident the last few months of his life. He also served interim pastorates at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church two Presbyterian churches in the area.
Survivors include by four sons, the Rev. J. Douglas Patterson and his wife Ramona, of Baden, Pa.; Daniel R. Patterson and his wife Yumi, of Georgia; Donald L. Patterson and his wife Terri of Mississippi and Dean L. Patterson and his wife Mary Ann of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.; 10 grandchildren, Brooke, Nathan, Hannah, Joseph, Erina, Jonathan and his wife Amelia, Katie, Benjamin, Joseph and Rachelle; three great-grandchildren, Britney, Emily and Keller; three sisters, Joyce Thornbury, JoAnn Warner and her husband Ray, and Jeanne Babcock and her husband Russ; and one brother, Jim Patterson and his wife Doris.
Visitation was scheduled for 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 25 and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 26 at the Cunningham Funeral Home in Grove City. Funeral services were scheduled for 11 a.m., Sept. 27 at Grace UM Church in Grove City, with the Revs. Howard Greenfield and John Jefferis officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to the Jack and Dottie Patterson Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o United Methodist Foundation, 223 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15222.