Derek Patterson Obituary

Derek Edward Patterson, 51, beloved brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, left this life unexpectedly May 10, 2024. He was born May 25, 1972 in Eastland, Texas, the son of Faye and Clay Patterson. He attended Baird schools and graduated from Baird High School, Class of 1990. After high school he attended college classes at Cisco College, but after a while decided that was not the path he wanted to take. His favorite thing was the rodeo and he spent a lot of time doing just that, riding bulls and making lifelong friends, while mostly earning his keep as a ranch hand. He loved the farm life and spent hours on a tractor. He worked on the family farm in Rising Star with his dad and learned to love the land. As he grew up, Derek's dad, Clay, taught him about welding and Derek excelled at that. Even highly skilled welders said Derek was an artist and a brilliant welder.

In 1994 Derek began one of the most important and influential roles in his life as not only uncle, but also stand-in-dad for his niece Mackenzi. He loved Mackenzi and was the most influential man in her life. You couldn't help but love Derek, even if you didn't approve of everything he did. The two things that really made you love him were his capacity to love and his humility. He had a temper and was a fighter, but he was always the first to tell you his faults. He never bragged on anything except the good things his family and friends did. He didn't care about status or money, but he had a way of finding good people and helping them and letting them help him. He had a lot of best friends because he listened well and cared about his friends and family's wins and losses. He was a hard worker and he loved his country.

Derek is preceded in death by his mom and dad, Clay and Faye Patterson, his brother-in-law, Mark Horton, and his nephew, Isaac Hargrove. He is survived by his sister, Chrystie Watson and husband James , sister Deanna Horton, brother Brian Patterson, and wife Julie, nephews Zach Patterson and wife Kandy, Robin Hardy, Justin Patterson wife Holley, and nieces Megan Poole, Breanna DeVore and husband Daniel, and Mackenzi Hargrove, along with beloved great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends too numerous to name.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Bible Baptist Church, 557 Hunt Street, in Clyde.