Wendell E. Patterson (Pat Patterson) of Phoenix, AZ passed peacefully on November 23, 2016. Born near Florence, Arizona at April 19, 1922 to William Earl Patterson and Florence Laura (Ward) Patterson. The family moved to Phoenix and he attended Murphy Grammar School. In 1936 to 1940 he attended Phoenix Union High School where he played football for the Coyotes. He also was active in the Future Farmers of America where he was elected an officer.
After graduation from high school he attended Phoenix College where he played basketball for George "Dutch" Hoy for two years and graduating in 1942 with his degree. After JC he joined the U.S. Coast Guard. His first assignment was beach patrol on Point Reyes, California, then on to Stinson Beach and Olamah Bay, before being assigned to the General H.L. Scott AP136 where he travel around the world.
He returned in 1946 and entered Arizona State Teachers College where he played football for the Bulldogs and was elected the Captain of the 1946-47 team. In 1947 was elected student body president and was a key member in changing the mascot from the Bulldogs to the Sun Devils.
After he graduated with a BA in education he continued on to his masters degree and served as an assistant coach for Ed Doherty in 1949. He then signed a professional football contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers but was offered a teaching and coaching position at Phoenix Union High School that offered more money.
He married Janice Young and had four beautiful daughters. Patricia, Barbara, Brenda and Teri.
He was active in the Elks and at one time chairman of the leadership and scholarship committee. He was very active in the teaching politics where he was selected to represent the Phoenix Union teacher in salary negotiations and for the first time coaches were to be paid extra. He was state president of Physical Education and at one time and assisted in the organization of basketball games at Flagstaff where the All Stars played.
He was a avid hunter and a positive person all of his life.
He is survived by his two sisters Virginia Rote and Ruby Lowry, his four daughters Patricia Haynie of Maricopa Arizona, Barbara Bret of Tucson Arizona, Brenda Skaggs of Las Vegas Nevada and Teri Patterson(Falkoury) of Basque Farms New Mexico. He also has eleven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren who will all miss him dearly.
Funeral services will be held Friday, December 9th at 11:00 AM with viewing at 10AM. The service are at Green Acres Mortuary, 401 N. Hayden Rd. Scottsdale, AZ.
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