Lester Eugene "Pat" Patterson

Funeral services for Lester Eugene “Pat” Patterson, 79, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. John W. Greene and Bro. Gene Hazell officiating. Private interment will be held in the Berry Cemetery.

Lester Eugene Patterson, affectionately known as “Pat” to family and friends, was born April 29, 1939 at Bremer County Hospital in Waverly, Iowa to Robert Lester and Florence Evelyn (Parker) Patterson. He passed away peacefully at Neches House Senior Living Community in Lufkin Thursday, July 26, 2018. His family rejoices that he is no longer suffering. Pat looked forward to entering Heaven to see his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He rejoiced in the fact that he would not need to be buried with his glasses, cochlear implant, or hearing aids because his body would be perfect.

Pat grew up on a dairy farm helping his parents and sisters with the daily farm chores of milking cows, feeding their livestock, working in the corn fields, and tending to the numerous responsibilities that a farm entails. At one point, his family owned two farms that Pat helped with. When he began his school career as a small boy, he attended a one room school house. He joined the United States Air Force after he graduated from Waverly High School. He attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas and was later stationed at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas where he worked in the commissary.

During one of his “leaves of absence” from the Air Force, Pat hitchhiked to Diboll, Texas with one of his Air Force buddies, Joe Goins. Joe’s parents Thomas and Elizabeth Goins became like second parents to Pat. During that original visit to Diboll, Pat met his future bride, Lou Waynette Goins. They were married within a year of meeting and made their first home at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas. Shortly after their wedding, Pat’s father’s health began to decline and they moved to Waverly, Iowa so that Pat could help with the family’s farms. Pat and Waynette returned to Texas shortly after their first child was born. Pat trained and worked as a machinist and mill wright at various locations in Lufkin, Diboll and Corrigan. He retired from American Color Graphics.

Pat was a Christian, attending the Lutheran church in Iowa and Baptist churches in Texas. He was a past member of Harmony Hill Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church, and a current member of Fairview Baptist Church. He was a Mason.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Lou Waynette Patterson of Lufkin; beloved children and spouses, Lydia McMullen and husband George of Lufkin and Randy Patterson and wife Vicki of Wylie; cherished granddaughters, Kaitlyn Lewis and husband Chris, Chelsea McMullen and Madison McMullen, all of Lufkin, Rachel Patterson and Sara Patterson of Wylie; sister, Patricia Bonk of Mahtomedi, Minnesota; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Gladys Patterson; sister and brother-in-law, Faye and Merle Rutledge; and his beloved pets Olive, Christopher Leroy, and Abby.

Pat’s family would like to thank the staff at Neches House Senior Living Community in Lufkin for the care they provided during his final days in his earthly home. Very special thanks are extended to Meagan Parks at Neches House for her compassion, friendship, respectful care, and professionalism with Pat and his family.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.