Joe David Patterson

Joe was born on December 7, 1965 to Mary Jo and James Patterson. In 1970, Mary Jo began driving into Houston twice a day to take Joe and pick him up because there was not a place for special education children in Fort Bend ISD. Because of Joe David and his classmates at MR Wood, a special education program was created at Dulles High School and led for many years by Mrs. Marlene Parker. As a result of that program, general education students were taught valuable lessons and found passions that included fighting for the special education population in life beyond high school. Several of the Dulles student body went on to be teachers, doctors, and lawyers that specialize in supporting individuals with disabilities because of their interactions with Joe and his classmates.

Joe attended The Arc/Texana workshop from the age of 22 until 57 when he officially retired. We are thankful for all of his teachers and class aides that worked with him over those 35 years.

Joe David was included in all the family activities and outings. Melisa and Jamie’s friends and neighbors learned that someone with Downs Syndrome could jump on the trampoline, ride bikes, go swimming, go bowling, cheer at sporting events, ride on the boat and jet skis, and have fun living life right alongside them.

Joe David inspired his extended family to become very involved with The Arc of Fort Bend. They have had active roles on boards and committees that have led to raising millions of dollars for individuals with disabilities in our community. Joe is the definition of how one person can make a difference in thousands of lives.

Joe passed away on July 16, 2023 and can now tell Grannie & Grandma all the things that he wanted to say when he was here on Earth with us. We are so grateful for the 57 years that we got to be a part of Joe’s life and our prayer is that his legacy lives on in how our community continues to support those with disabilities.

With Joe as part of our lives, there wasn’t a glass of tea that hasn’t been swiped, a shoe that hasn’t had the laces taken, a pair of boots on the porch that weren’t thrown in the yard, a garage that hasn’t been swept clear, a ketchup bottle that hasn’t been emptied, a light bulb that hasn’t been changed, a record player that wasn’t played for hours, a set of beads that hasn’t been collected, a pair of socks that haven’t been mismatched, and a chair that hasn’t been moved to just the right place.

Joe David is survived by his parents, James David and Mary Jo Patterson; sister, Melisa Patterson Bell; brother-in-law, Terry Bell; sister, Jamie Patterson Holdsworth; brother-in-law, Ricky Holdsworth; nieces and nephews, Brandon & Holly Bell, Justin and Maritza Bell, and Kelli Jo Holdsworth; great nieces and nephews, Jaxon, Liam, Elizabeth, and Sadie Bell; uncle, Ford Hooper; aunts; Frances Hooper, Linda Hooper, Ann Smith, and Lynda Lys; as well as many family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home, 12555 South Kirkwood Road in Stafford.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 20 at 9:30 a.m. at Sugar Land Methodist Church,431 Eldridge Road in Sugar Land.

For those that are unable to attend the service, live streaming will be available by clicking on the link or by selecting the "Join livestream" icon on the Funeral Service below, sugarlandmethodist.org/worshiplive

The interment will be held on Thursday, July 20 at 2:30 p.m. at Hopewell Cemetery in Normangee, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s memory to a charity of your choice, The Arc of Fort Bend, or Texana Learning Center in Missouri City.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with his family at www.earthmansouthwest.com.