Thomas W. Patterson

Thomas William Patterson, 85, of Cabot, went home to be with the Lord on March 22, 2018. Loved and esteemed for his joyful spirit, kind heart, and for being a gentleman, Tom was born February 23, 1933, the son of the late Howard and Hazel Kennedy Patterson.

Tom was a 1951 graduate of Butler High School and a 1960 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. He worked at Armco Steel, Butler Works, for 41 years, retiring as traffic manager in 1993. There, he developed an enthusiasm for trains, which he shared with his children and grandchildren.

Tom volunteered for many causes, including the American Cancer Society, Auxiliary of Butler Health System, Boy Scouts of America, Butler County Symphony Association, Butler Little Theatre, Concordia Lutheran Ministries at Cabot, Heart of Florida Hospital, and Toastmasters International. He was named “Junior Man of the Year” at the 1968 Butler Distinguished Service Awards. More importantly, he exemplified to his children and grandchildren the value of helping hands and a generous heart.

A talented man, Tom sang with the Blazing Star Choral Society and Adoring Christ Through Song (ACTS), played hand bells for Potpourri, performed with the Butler Musical Theatre Guild, and sang with his wife in countless variety shows. He is famous with those close to him for his “Happy Birthday” singing phone calls.

Tom was a member of St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxonburg where he sang in the choir and played hand bells. Prior to that, he was a member of St. Andrew’s United Presbyterian Church in Butler where he served as a member of session and of the choirs. He trained his children to love the Lord.

Tom and his wife loved to travel the country in their fifth-wheel trailer and lived and volunteered at Acadia National Park in Maine, Custer State Park in South Dakota, Mistletoe State Park in Georgia, and Olympic National Park in Washington. They also were “snowbirds” in Florida yet always cheered for Tom’s prized Steelers. His passion for nature and the Black & Gold has been passed down to his clan from Pennsylvania to Florida.

Even in his final hours, Tom cheerfully greeted his caregivers, waved at and shook hands with visitors, and puckered up to kiss his wife, daughters, grandchildren, and best friends. Tom’s smiling eyes, “Yipee!” cheers, and game-playing skills will be greatly missed.

In addition to his parents, Tom is preceded in death by his brother David Patterson of Orofino, Id., his sister Martha Sclaro of Philadelphia, Pa., and sons Thomas Patterson Jr. of Orlando, Fl., and Michael Ecola, of Sulphur Springs, Tx.

Left to cherish Tom’s memory is his adoring wife Kay Ann “Katie”; darling daughters Amanda (Joel) Patterson Burlingham of Erie, Pa., Jennifer Grus of Pittsburgh, Pa., Sandi Patterson of Orlando, Fl. (wife of the late Tom Patterson Jr.), Karen (Phil) Ecola Scheidhauer of McKinney Tx.; son Chris (Susan) Ecola of New Castle, Pa.; grandchildren Mackenzie, Kaylee, Jack, and Lucy Burlingham, Mabel Grus, Kelly (Patterson) and Sean Whitney, Joel Patterson (engaged to Renee Ambos), Alex and Brittney Patterson, Cherish Scheidhauer, Carissa and Jon Sharpe, Andrea and Daniel Massaro, Zach Ecola, and Derek Thormodsgard; nine great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends across the country.

Tom’s family thanks the talented and merciful staff of the Butler Health System ICU and the Concordia Good Samaritan Hospice in Cabot for lovingly caring for Tom in his last days.  

Friends will be received on Monday, March 26, 2018 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at the Fox Funeral Home, Inc., 410 W. Main Street, Saxonburg.

Services will be held on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 11:00 am at St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 310 W. Main Street, Saxonburg with Rev. Roger G. Keller officiating.

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