Lee Roy Patterson

July 2, 1923 ~ October 17, 2013
Lee R. Patterson was born July 2, 1923 in Blackwell, TX to Alma Noble Patterson and “T” Patterson.
He came to Blanding in 1941 from San Angelo, TX, with his uncle. The Patterson family had a mattress factory during the Depression.
Lee and his uncle traveled around the western states with a trailer they built selling and repairing mattresses with a portable machine.
After a short stay in Blanding, Lee and his uncle took an annual three month vacation to Canada and Alaska to hunt, fish and explore. Lee always remembered those trips and had a yearning to go back and revisit.
Lee’s uncle brought him back to Blanding to finish school. His uncle was very impressed with the “Mormon Culture” and thought it would be a good place for Lee to go to school. He made arrangements with a family to board Lee.
He later became friends with Leon Johnson and moved in with him and his family, not knowing that the love of his life lived there too!! It wasn’t long before he started courting Norma Johnson.
World War II was in progress, so Lee joined the Navy. On his first delayed furlough, he came home and married Norma Johnson, April 26, 1944. Their marriage was solemnized two years later in the Salt Lake Temple. He finished training and was shipped to the Philippines. Norma came home to Blanding to await the birth of their first child, LeeAnna, born in 1945.
Lee was honorably discharged in 1946. He came home to Blanding and built their home. Glenn T joined his sister in 1947.
Lee worked in the uranium mines, cutting timber for the Forest Service, was short order cook, worked as a San Juan County deputy, and worked in the uranium mill. They moved to Monticello, UT and lived for two and a half years.
Lee was working at the uranium mill when two more members joined the family, twins!! Lynn J and Lance K in 1951. The mill closed down so Lee moved his family back to Blanding. He worked for UDOT, road construction, road inspector and surveyor. The uranium mill opened in Blanding and he took a job as foreman. Eight years after the twins, Forrest Dean joined the family.
Lee retired in 1989 and began fulfilling his dream of traveling. He took his bride and traveled the western stated into Canada and Alaska. Lee dearly loved to travel and camp. He also loved hiking, fishing, gathering wood, metal detecting, coin collecting, “rock” hunting, and spending time on the mountain. He loved spending time with his grandchildren teaching them about hobbies and telling stories.
Lee is survived by his wife Norma, four children, LeeAnna (George), Glenn (Gloria), Lynn (Linda), Forrest (Sherrie), 14 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents T Patterson, Alma Noble, brother JT Patterson, son Lance, three grandchildren, Mathew, Dani Fennell and Cody Patterson.
Interment at the Blanding Cemetery.
Card of thanks
The family of Lee Patterson thanks all those who have shown kindness through your phone calls and home visits. Thanks to all the Doctors and medical personnel who made Lee’s life a little easier through the last few weeks. We thank the Second Ward for the wonderful lunch after the funeral and all the meals that were brought into the home. We thank the special “angels” who came by to offer a word of comfort. A special thanks to Danny Palmer in the professional way he treated us. Thank you all so much.
Norma Patterson, LeeAnna and George Warham, Glenn and Gloria, Lynn and Linda, Forrest and Sherrie