Joseph Leroy Patterson, 86, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2020, at his home in Nampa, Idaho.

Joseph was born September 28, 1933 in Stroud, Oklahoma to Joseph Gideon Patterson and Sarah Emma Mesecher as the ninth of 11 children, seven boys and four girls: James Earl, Clarence Woodrow, Syble Josephine, Frank Agusta, Ralph, Calvin Gideon, Clara V, Charles Leslie, Joseph Leroy, Rebecca Elnora and Lillie Mae.

As a young boy, Joseph learned how to work and play hard on the family farm in Oklahoma. Early mornings and late nights taught him valuable lessons of hard work and sacrifice. At the start of World War II when his family moved to Sonoma, CA for his father to work at the Oakland Naval shipyard, Joseph helped support the family by working on a horse ranch.

At the age of 18, Joe followed his brother Charles into the Navy. He served his country during the Korean Conflict as part of the Navy Construction Battalion, “Sea Bees”. While in the Navy, Joe’s father was injured at the shipyard and was unable to continue work. From the lessons of sacrifice learned on the family farm in Oklahoma, Joe sent all his wages home to support the family and provide assistance for the family to build their ranch back in Oklahoma.

After his time in the Navy, Joe returned home to the family ranch in Sapulpa, OK and met his first wife Patricia (Ruby) Smith. It was here that he fathered his eldest son Larry Joseph Patterson. He returned to California to find work in order to support his small family, shortly after their move Ruby and Joe divorced.

At the age of 24, Joseph used his construction skills as a heavy equipment operator to secure employment in the Redwood Forests of California with help from his brother Earl. It was here where he met the love of his life, Ruth Adele Williams. Despite the age difference between Joe and Ruth, who was 16 at the time, they eloped to Reno, NV on September 2, 1958.
Nine months and five days later their first child Reginald Leroy was born in Sacramento, CA. One year and one day later they welcomed their second child Barbara Anne in Pomona, CA. In quick succession their third child Joseph Randall was born in Hayward, CA on March 25, 1962 followed by their last child, Stephanie Kay, who was born in Southgate, CA on August 13, 1963.

While in Hayward, CA Joe took the advice of his elder brother Charles, who had given him a tool box, walked into a shop and told the owner he was a mechanic. He spent his time learning the skills he needed to become a transmission specialist. With their family complete and training under his belt. Joe and Ruth moved to the Pacific Northwest where he eventually ended up in Vancouver, WA, opening up the first Automatic Transmission shop in Clark County,in partnership with his older brother Charles who agreed to sell his cows to fund their first transmission shop, where he raised his children and grew his business. Joseph and Charles soon developed their mom and pop shop into a large seven shop corporation after 12 years together. Charles decided he wanted to take up a Salmon fishing venture, so Joseph bought out the partnership and Charles bought his first fishing boat. Joseph never hesitated to show his gratitude for the advice, sacrifice, and love shown to him by his brother Charles who was instrumental in his successful career and ability to provide for his family. Due to their business successes, Joe was able to take a step back from the transmission shops and allow his sons to take over the business.

Joseph and Ruth Patterson were sealed for time and all eternity in the Dallas Texas Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 21, 1986. At the age of 69 Joseph served a mission for The Church in the Alamosa, CO with his loving wife Ruth.

In 2004, after the unexpected death of their daughter-in-law, Joe and Ruth followed their son Reginald to Boise, ID to assist in raising their grandchildren. While living in Idaho, Joseph served as a temple worker for The Church in the Idaho Boise Temple.

Throughout his life, Joe enjoyed spending his time with family and was often found outdoors fishing, hunting, camping, riding dune buggies, go karting, water skiing, shooting, and taking long road trips with his love on the back of beloved Honda Goldwing motorcycle. His love for the outdoors brought him so much enjoyment and will forever live on in his spouse, children, and grandchildren.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Ruth Patterson; children: Larry Joseph Patterson (Beth), Reginald Leroy Patterson (Angela), Barbara Anne Steed (Randy), Joseph Randall Patterson (Tami), Stephanie Kay Chamberlin and many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and
sisters Rebecca Elnora and Lillie Mae.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, January 13, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 7809 Deer Flat Road in Nampa, with a viewing from 10:00 to 10:45 AM prior to the services. Condolences may be expressed at ZeyerFuneralChapel.com.

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