John Joseph Patterson

Preceded in death by his wife, Viola Dorothy Patterson, John passed away peacefully at home listening to his favorite song being played and sung: AMAZING GRACE.

Born during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl Days of rural Southern Colorado and being the oldest of 13 children, John spent much of his youth helping his mother keep food on the table. To John, family was everything. When John was a teen his parents moved to “Smelter” in Pueblo so his father could work at the Pueblo Ordinance Depot. Fifteen years old and hungry, John decided to join the Marine Corps. John got his father drunk and had him sign the enlistment documents and off he went. For the first time in his life, he was fed 3 meals a day and had new boots on his feet. All was good until someone figured out that he was Too Young to be hanging out w/ Marines so they sent him home telling him he’d have to join, officially. John re-joined the Marines (officially) at the age of 17. Now, as a Marine, John did all he could to help his family and sent his mother all of his military pay which she applied to the purchase of the family home.

After his discharge from the Marines, John started working in Pueblo with the Pueblo Ordinance Depot. He’d asked Viola to marry him but she'd told him to "come back in one year,” so, John joined the reserves. One day, Viola showed up at John’s Parent’s house looking for John. Viola found herself in the odd predicament of having no place to call home and no one to help her so she remembered the handsome Marine who’d asked her to marry him. When Viola asked John if he still wanted to marry her, John quickly said “Yes!” and they marched themselves on down to the courthouse and married. Standing there in front of the judge John told Viola, “I will never leave you” and indeed, he was true to his word and cared for Viola until she took her last breath at home, with John stealing the last kiss.

John was very well recognized and known in the commercial construction industry having supervised and directed the construction of many towering skyscrapers you now see in downtown Denver. John was known for his knowledge as well as his ability to climb up and down cranes and skyscrapers while supervising and inspecting all the work that needed to be done to build those structures. John seemed tireless and when he’d see a neighbor working, John would go over and help. John put his knowledge and construction experience to good use volunteering to build and remodel churches in the denomination to which he and Viola belonged.

Never failing to come home to his wife and family after work, John loved the life he and Viola shared. Together, they raised 3 children and one grandson. Additionally, John and Viola gave of themselves to missions in the jungles of Mexico making sure funds collected here in the US made it to the intended party.

John is survived by 6 brothers (Robert, Fred, LeRoy, David, Bill and Charles) and 1 Sister (Juanita) and was preceded in death by 4 brothers (Elmer, Richard, Floyd and Rocky) and 1 sister (Josephine).

John is the father of 3 children, John W Patterson (Jill), Bev Maes (Rick) and Rhonda Gillit (Richard) and has 8 grandchildren (John Jr, Evie, Gary, LeAnna, Richard, Julie, Michael and Lucas) and numerous great grandchildren whom he loved greatly, one and all.

A visitation for John will be held Sunday, November 19, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Olinger Hampden Mortuary & Cemetery, 8600 East Hampden Ave, Denver, CO 80231.

A funeral service will occur Monday, November 20, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Wellspring Church, 3885 S. Broadway, Englewood, CO 80113.

A committal service with military honors will occur Tuesday, November 21, 2023 from 2:00PM- 2:30PM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area "C", 4400 W. Kenyon Ave. Denver, CO 80236.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhampdenmortuary.com for the Patterson family.

Video Tribute can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/JZOg8M40Ha0