Shannon "Shan" Oral Patterson

Shan passed away Tuesday morning, December 14, 2021 at the blessed age of 93, unfortunately missing his goal to beat his brother to 100.

Shan was born in Philomath, Oregon to Willis and Elizabeth Patterson and was the youngest of four children. As a young teen, Shan would shear sheep with his father. Shan’s family moved to Gerber, California in 1945 where he worked on his father’s dairy. Shan’s life as a rancher started with cattle but eventually moved to growing walnuts and prunes.

Shan first met his future bride as he galloped past her house in Los Flores on horseback in pursuit of runaway cows, running under an olive branch and losing his hat. He turned back for the hat and said, “I will be back.” Upon his return, he met a very pretty young lady that on March 24, 1949, became his wife. They made Gerber their home and raised two sons, David and Mark. Shan and Shirley were successfully self-employed throughout their lives, owning Patterson Answering Service and Antique Shop, Patterson Water Company and walnut and prune orchards. Shan enjoyed growing a very large garden and raising chickens. He spent over thirty years selling the fruits of his labors at local farmers markets.

Over the years, Shan has worn many hats. He worked as a Brakeman for the Southern Pacific Railroad at the Gerber Railyard and was their union representative. He was a realtor and held office to many boards and associations throughout the county of Tehama and State of California. Shan served as a field representative to Congressman Gene Chappie where he represented Tehama County and the State of California before Vice President Rockerfeller and the U.S. Congress as well as represented Tehama County before the State legislature and Governors Ronald Reagan and Jerry Brown. He served as a Deputy Coroner for several years and served as part of the Search and Recovery Dive Team. Shan also served as District Five Supervisor for Tehama County from 1969 to 1980 where he served on many committees relating to transportation, water, agriculture and mental health. Shan served on the Gerber-Los Flores Community Service District Board of Directors for numerous years until his passing. He was also an active member of many local fraternal and service organizations, including a charter member of the Central Tehama Kiwanis Club.

One of Shan’s highest professional honors was the part he played in bringing Nor-Cal Emergency Medical Services to 11 counties in Northern California. Starting in the 1970s, when he was on the Board of Supervisors, he was a founding member of the Emergency Medical Care Council and served as chairman for many years. In 1983, when Nor-Cal EMS Inc. was formed, Shan was selected as a founding director and continued to serve as director for many years. In 1997 the Emergency Services Foundation was formed and he was selected as chairman where he also served for many years. It was through this foundation and countless volunteer hours that millions of dollars of equipment and training were donated to the 11 Northern California Counties, including his beloved Tehama County. Projects he was particularly proud of brought backboards, Med-Com radios and Automated Emergency Defibrillators (AEDs) to local fire companies. For over half a century Shan was dedicated to ensuring first responders in Northern California were properly trained and well equipped.

Shan was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Montey Franklin, Larry Patterson, and Eugene Patterson. His beautiful bride, Shirley, has been waiting for him to join her since May, 2017. He is survived by his sons, David and his wife Chris and Mark. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Amy Woods and Eric & Carrie Patterson, his great-grandchildren; Jakob and Jacqueline Woods, Zackary Woods, Jacob and Jessica Patterson, Christopher Patterson and Daniel Patterson, as well as his great-great granddaughters; Jocelyn Woods and Everly Patterson. Shan was deeply loved and cherished by his family and friends. He will be greatly missed, but the significant impact he left on his family, the county and community he loved so dearly will never be forgotten.

Services will be held at Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers, Monday, December 27 at 11:00 am. A luncheon will follow.