John R. Patterson

On Thursday, November 30, 2023, John Richard Patterson of Leeds, Alabama, loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 94. John is survived by his loving wife, Norma Jean Patterson, his son, Richard Eric Patterson (Nancy), daughter, Jeanne Patterson Gallagher (Conor), grandchildren, Matthew Gallagher, Kyndal Grace Patterson, Jacob Gallagher, and Holden Patterson, a sister, Margaret Murrill and special family and friends, Virginia Spidle, Kim Patterson, Austin Anderson, Ashley Anderson, Cathy Puckett, Ricky Patterson, Jerry Patterson, and Meona King. John was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Mary Patterson and brothers Floyd and Gerald Patterson. John was born January 27, 1929 in Mobile, Alabama to Floyd L. Patterson and Mary Kirby Patterson. John entered the army on September 22, 1950 during the Korean War. He was initially a teletype operator but was chosen for language school. He went to Paris to be trained as a French Interpreter. He was a natural at language skills and quickly became one of the main interpreters for the U.S. in Paris during the Korean War. When John returned home from the military, he attended the University of Alabama studying Biology with the idea of attending medical school. Instead he decided to go to Auburn to attend pharmacy school. He taught French at Auburn to supplement the cost of his studies but ended up leaving before he could graduate. While at Auburn he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau social fraternity. After leaving Auburn, John began working for a bridge building company. The company subcontracted with Moss-Thorton which is where he met his future wife and love of his life, Norma Jean Spidle. Six months later, they were married. Once married, John returned to Auburn to finish his pharmacy degree and graduated in March of 1964. In April of 1966, he opened Patterson Pharmacy in the former Leeds Hospital Complex. John was from Mobile but was quickly accepted by the people of Leeds due to his kind and outgoing nature. He was always happy and had a giving soul. He did not see people as customers but rather as friends. John built an extremely loyal customer base that reflects the love and respect of the people he served as their pharmacist. Everyone he met, he had an affect on because he truly cared for his patients and their families. Patterson Pharmacy still survives today with the same reputation because of his hard work and dedication to the community and his customers. It is 57 years old and up until two years ago, John was still working in the drugstore. On Thursday, December 7, 2023 there will be a visitation from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Leeds, Alabama. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery. Services directed by Kilgroe Funeral Home 1750 Ashville Road Leeds, Alabama 35094.