H. Douglas Patterson, age 92, of Anderson, SC passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Rainey Hospice House.

Born February 28, 1932 in Antreville, SC, he was the son of the late Harold Alexander Patterson and Eunice C. Fisher Patterson.

Mr. Patterson was affiliated with True Temper Corporation in Anderson and Cleveland, OH, Bell Pharmaceuticals in Greenville and Jacobs Chuck in Clemson.

He is survived by two sons, David A. Patterson and his wife, Melanie McGhee, of Maryville, TN, and Bruce A. Patterson of Anderson, SC; brother, Steve A. Patterson (Lavonne) of Antreville, SC; four grandchildren, Kaitlyn Patterson Barnhill, Hannah, Michelle Patterson, and Robby Patterson; one great-grandson, Tyler Henderson and numerous nieces and nephews. Jan Able Williams, Katherine Bullock, and Julie Pastelak were each in a sense, daughters by proxy.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Georgell Stokes Patterson; sisters, Lucia "Pat" Able and Barbara McShane; and daughter-in-law, Selena Patterson.

His sixty-three-year marriage to our mother, Georgell, offered to all that knew them an exceptional example of a joyful, balanced, and enduring marriage. Their emotional and physical home on the lake offered shelter, laughter, rich conversation, and respite to generations of friends, immediate family, and a host of others.

He was a man of intense interest in history. He read deeply and expansively of accounts of the role of conflict and culture in shaping civilizations across time and continents. As a result, he wrote extensively of American and world politics, his childhood and family in rural South Carolina, and some unpublished works of historical fiction.

He was an outdoorsman who taught his sons to fish, boat, sail, and to seek solace and renewal in places beyond walls. He encouraged our lives in the world without the imposition of his own expectations or preferences. By example and lesson, he taught us to honor and respect women, balance work and family, and recognize the divine evident in all.

To open the lens on this beloved man beyond family and occupation, here are some of the words of those who knew and loved him.

"A great man left us yesterday—my uncle Douglas. He was patient, kind, strong, intellectually curious, fair, compassionate... His absence is already deeply felt, stirring reflection on the many blessings I've received."

"I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad and my favorite uncle. The world has lost one of the most incredible humans. I love his quiet manner, intense way of listening, extreme intellect, passion, for reading, gaining knowledge, and respect for nature. He showed intense love for his family and was so proud to be your dad."

One cousin recounted baking her first pound a cake which she brought to our father. "He was eager to cut a slice and take a bite. He said it was the best he had ever had, and I just giggled. I had never had a one-on-one talk with him until then and I remember thinking I had never met a real true gentleman until that moment. Smart and funny, but most of all, truly sophisticated!"

The family wishes to our heartfelt and profound gratitude to The Rainey House staff for their attentiveness and care in his last days.

A graveside service to celebrate and honor the life of H. Douglas Patterson will be held at 11 am on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery, Antreville, with Rev. Steve Patterson officiating. The family will receive friends from 4-6 pm at The McDougald Funeral Home on Friday, September 20, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.