Thomas Keys Patterson

Thomas Keys “Tommy” Patterson departed this world on May 4 in the company of his daughter Calli at John Knox Manor II in Montgomery, AL. His good nature and his kind and generous spirit sustained him to the end. Tommy was born in Tupelo, MS, the younger son of Dewey and Louise Sullivan Patterson. In the first grade he met and fell in love with Alice Hunter, his future wife. He was an extremely talented athlete at Tupelo High School, where he lettered in 4 sports and co-captained the football team, leading them to the 11-0 undefeated season of 1945. He earned a full scholarship to Vanderbilt University, where he played blocking back and co-captained the 1949 football team. In 1950 The Nashville Banner called him “the smartest player on the smartest team Vanderbilt ever had.” He graduated from Vandy with a degree in chemical engineering in 1950, and married his high school sweetheart, Alice Hunter. Tommy and Alice spent most of their 59-year married life in Dublin, Georgia, where they raised four children, and where Tommy worked for Oxford Industries, initially managing the Dublin plant and later becoming vice president for the shirt division of the Atlanta-based company. Tommy was an active golfer and a member of Dublin Country Club for many years until his younger son Hunter steered his interest in a different direction. He became a birding enthusiast when Hunter developed a keen interest in birdwatching as a young teen. Tommy later became president of the Georgia Ornithological Society, which published his book Birds of Laurens County in 2004. He was the compiler of the Dublin Christmas count for many years, and became known as Dublin’s premiere birding authority. Tommy and Alice moved to Decatur, Georgia in 2007 to be closer to daughter Jill and family. He spent his last two years living at John Knox Manor Montgomery, AL a with daughter Calli very close by, enjoying frequent visits with her and husband Kimble, and his Alabama grandchildren.

Tommy was preceded in death by his wife Alice in 2009 and his son Hunter in 1996. He is survived by son Tom Patterson (Winston-Salem, NC), daughters Calli Patterson (Kimble Forrister) (Montgomery, AL), and Jill Patterson Tolbert (Joel) (Bogart, GA); grandchildren Ned Coleman (Reed Morgan) (New Orleans, LA), Sarah Alice Coleman (Elkton, VA), Clare Forrister (Montgomery, AL), Adam Tolbert (Charlotte, NC), Daniel Tolbert (Macon, GA), and Michael Thomas Tolbert (Bogart, GA); and great grandson Morgan Keys Coleman (New Orleans, LA).

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 8, at Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church in Dublin, Georgia, with visitation following the service. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be sent to the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), John Knox Manor II in Montgomery, AL, or Oconee Presbyterian Church, Watkinsville, GA.