James Grey Patterson

James Grey Patterson, Sr., 87, of Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina, formerly of Hampstead, NC, entered into eternal rest Wednesday, January 1, 2020 in the Summerville SC Community Hospice House. His Memorial Service will be held at Hampstead United Methodist Church, Hampstead, NC at 2:00 pm with reception to follow. The family will be receiving. friends one hour before the Memorial Service. Jim's Inurnment will be in his beloved Beaverdam Valley at Lewis Memorial Park, Asheville, NC in the spring. Arrangements are made by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley Chapel in Charleston, SC. Please refer to the following website to see details or share a memory of Jim: www.jhenrystuhr.com

Jim was born on January 27, 1932 in Concord, NC. He is the son of Smith Kay and Mary Margaret Barrier Patterson and is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. George Luther Barrier of Mt. Pleasant, NC and Mr. and Mrs. John Kay Patterson of Concord NC.

Jim was an active, curious youth, loving the outdoors and proud of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, VA and graduated from Baylor School in Chattanooga TN, Class of 1951. At Baylor Jim excelled at track, tennis and swimming. There on the steps of the Methodist Church in Chattanooga, he met and fell in love with his future wife, Mary Anne Bearden. She was the daughter of Harvey and Anne Bledsoe Bearden of Tuskegee, Ala. Then the military called. After training at Keesler AFB in Mississippi and Lackland AFB in Texas, Jim was stationed in Mildenhall England and served four years as an Air Traffic Controller. There he earned the 'Good Conduct Medal' and 'National Defense Service Medal'. Upon the completion of his tour of duty and his return to the United States, Jim married his red-headed sweetheart.

Jim received his Civil Engineering degree at the University of Alabama where two of his three children, Barrie and Grey, were born. His first job assignment as an Engineer took the young couple to Lexington KY where Jim worked for the Department of Transportation and John was born. Next stop, Asheville NC where Jim again worked for the Department of Transportation and Tidewater Supply Company and Mary Anne taught Art at Clyde A. Erwin High School. They enjoyed 48 years of marriage and survived the loss of their dear son, James Grey Patterson Jr., before Mary Anne's untimely death in 2003.

Jim and Mary Anne retired for the first time. Laughingly, they said they were having a 'Mid-life career change'. They bought a marina named Annamarina in Topsail Beach, NC which they operated it together with Mary Anne's sister Judee and husband Burt Brooks. Jim continued to hone his entrepreneurial skills at Sea Path Realty, Topsail Beach Rescue Squad, Topsail Offshore Fishing Club, Building Inspector for the town of Topsail and also worked closely with the Coast Guard in boating safety.

Jim was a very active member of the Hampstead United Methodist Church. He and Mary Anne eventually took up permanent residence in neighboring Hampstead where Jim experienced his amazing "Walk to Emmaus".

An avid outdoorsman, Jim treasured the mountains of NC that touched his soul, especially when backpacking the Appalachian Trail with his hiking buddies. He also pursued his lifetime passion of photography, hang gliding, ramp hunting and spending time at Mt. Mitchel and Craggy Gardens where he often cooked a delicious breakfast before climbing to the top. Jim was a genuine 'Tar Heel', a great friend, humorous to the end and loved by many. His engineering skills helped him in his later years as he fought to maintain his independance with the ravages of Alzheimer's.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Barrie Anne Patterson Hinson and her husband, Doug Hinson of Wadmalaw Island, SC with their two daughters Katherine Marie Hinson and Kelly Channing Hinson Bolin; his son, John Mitchell Patterson of Canton, NC with his son Noah Mitchell Patterson; one great grandson, Thomas Ward Bolin; his brother, Alex Patterson of Concord, NC and his sister Betsy Patterson Nelson of San Antonio, TX; their spouses, nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Jim was predeceased by his son James Grey Patterson, Jr. and one sister, Mary Kay Patterson Bogle of Concord NC. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to Hampstead United Methodist Church to help in their recovery efforts from a recent hurricane and tornado.

Jim's recipe for a great life, "Find someone to love with your whole heart, body and soul and pursue all your endeavors with passion, faithfulness and joy". He was a testimony to the human spirit in the face of despair. Jim has now passed into the throne room of God and is with our Lord forever.