(veteran)

Rev. Dr. Gordon L. Patterson, 70

The Rev. Dr. Gordon L. Patterson, 70, of Seward, died Thursday, Sept. 21, 2000.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Sept. 25, at the United Methodist Church in Seward. Rev. T.J. Fraser officiated.

A graveside service with full military honors was held at the Blair Cemetery.

Rev. Dr. Gordon L. Patterson was born on Nov. 16, 1929, to Cloyd E. and Mary G. (Williams) Patterson in Sargent.

He was a 1948 graduate of Sargent High School, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Hastings College.

He went on to get his Masters of Theology and a Bachelor of Divinity from Southern Methodist University, and received his Doctorate of Theology from East Coast University in Dade City, Fla.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, served as a Chaplain in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1953 to 1988, and as National Chaplain for the American Legion, and Chaplain for the State of Nebraska American Legion.

Rev. Dr. Patterson served as a United Methodist pastor for 39 years; he was a member of the United Methodist Church Nebraska Conference, was a life member of Flynn American Legion Post #154 of Blair, and a member of the Seward Kiwanis Club.

He is survived by his wife LaVonne Patterson of Seward; sons and daughters-in-law, Philip and JoAnne Patterson of Bloomington, Minn., Paul and Margaret Patterson of Topeka, Kan.; daughters and sons-in-law, Marcia and Bob Domecq, Superior, Wis., Pamela and Kurt Davis of Blair, Sarah and Charlie Kurre of Columbia, Mo.; 11 grand-children; a sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Kenneth Henry of Cozad; a brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice, in care of the Patterson family. Wood-Zabka Funeral Home in Seward was in charge of arrangements.