Ralph Thomas Patterson

Ralph Thomas Patterson, 91, of the Parkers Chapel Community, passed away Sunday, October 8, 2023, at The Springs of El Dorado. Ralph was the youngest child of Thomas Andrew Patterson and Nellie Hall Patterson. He was an avid fisherman and hunter who loved to travel with his wife of 71 years, Lelia O’Barr Patterson, in their camper when they were able. They traveled from Canada to Florida to California and made a special trip to Washington, D.C. where they saw the changing of the guard in Arlington Cemetery. He also liked to build and fly model airplanes and attend air shows. He was very good at inventing gadgets that made life easier while camping or hunting or with his job. He even rigged a way to carry his bass boat and trailer in the bed of his pickup while pulling his camper and invented a remote flare lighting system for Arkansas Chemical that was copied by Lion Oil Refinery.

Ralph graduated from Parkers Chapel High School in 1950. He drove a school bus for a while and then went to work with his brothers in the oil fields as a driller. He was drafted and served in the Army for two years as a cook and was thankful that he never had to leave Arkansas. After leaving the service he went back to the oil fields and eventually became a co-owner of Patterson Brothers Well Servicing. When his brothers decided to sell out and retire, he was hired by Arkansas Chemical as their Brine Supervisor until he retired in 1987.

Ralph attended Parkers Chapel Methodist Church in his youth, but accepted Jesus as his Savior at 50 years old and became a member of Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church. He spent many hours helping build Gethsemane’s building on Parnell Road. He was also a member of Parkers Chapel First Baptist for a short time and helped build their building as well. He returned to Gethsemane and helped maintain that building for as long as he was able.

Ralph was predeceased by his parents; son, Stephen Ray Patterson and wife, Teresa; son, Joe Allen Patterson; brother, Elton Patterson and wife, Freda; brother, Odell Patterson; and sister, Vernell Gammell and husband, Reuben.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Lelia O’Barr Patterson of El Dorado; son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Mikki Patterson of El Dorado; grandsons and wives, Trent and Lavonne Patterson of El Dorado, Travis and Jessica Patterson of El Dorado and Chase and Heather Patterson of Plano, Texas; granddaughter, Tasha Raley of El Dorado; nine great-grandchildren, Gavin Ferrington and wife, Kali, Taylan Ferrington, Chloe, Sydney, Vegas, Finley, Christian, Stephen, and Boston Patterson; seven bonus great-grands; a great-great-grandson, Bennett; a sister-in-law, Bronis Smith Patterson; several nieces and nephews; and the last of his beloved German Shepherds, Maggie.

Visitation will start at 1:00 at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, 2600 Parnell Road, on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, to be followed at 2:00 by the funeral services with Bro. Shawn Welchman officiating. Interment will follow at the Old Parkers Chapel Cemetery on Parkers Chapel Road under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.

Memorials may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 801 Eighteenth St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20006.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.