Rufus Patterson

Our loving Father, grandfather, and friend, Rufus Robert Patterson 93, returned to his Heavenly Father December 9, 2014 at his home in Alpine Utah. He was born September 15, 1921 in Magna, Utah to Robert and Eudora Patterson.
He served in the Pacific warfare as a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy - joining after the Pearl Harbor bombing in 1941, and serving until the war ended on September 2, 1945. He married Patricia Lawrence in the Salt Lake Temple on June 10, 1948 and built their first home in Alpine, Utah. They lived shortly in American Fork and then they moved back to Alpine and there spent the rest of his life building homes and raising eight children.
He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all the days of his life and served many years as a temple worker in the Provo Temple and in High Priest Group presidencies. He started the family construction company - Patterson Construction - and was active in the company as an advisor until his death.
He enjoyed being a father and a husband most. He took pride in the carpentry trade and in working hard all of his life. He also loved the scriptures, attending the temple, family activities such as roller-skating, boating, water-skiing and the hobby of wood working. He will always be remembered for the many antidotes, sayings and songs he would sing with family and friends.
He is survived by his 8 children: Larry Patterson, American Fork; Laraine (John) Lesser, American Fork; Wayne (Rosanna) Patterson, Alpine; Blaine (Margaret) Patterson, Alpine; Janis (Dave) Strong, Orem; James Patterson, American Fork; Ruth (Greg) Sulik, Alpine; Janene (Trace) Lunt, American Fork; 30 grandchildren, 17great grandchildren, two sisters: Naomi Johnson, American Fork; Letitia (John) Marshall, Sandy; two brothers: Maurice Patterson, Alpine; Edward (Frances) Patterson, Orem.
He was preceded in death by His wife Patricia, two grand-children Josh Sulik and Aspen Patterson, his parents, and 6 sisters: Sarah Lutmer, Edna Ayers, Jewel Patterson, Leone Johnson, Betrice Patterson, and Rebecca Patterson. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. He will greatly be missed, forever cherished and reverenced in our hearts.
Funeral services will be Saturday, December 13, 2014, at 11:00am in the Alpine 1st Ward chapel - 890 North Heritage Hills Drive, Alpine, Utah - where friends may call and visit before from 9:30am to 10:30am. Burial will be in the Alpine City Cemetery immediately following the funeral services under the direction of Anderson & Sons Mortuary. On behalf of the Patterson family, we wish to express our deepest gratitude to family, friends, and to the community for all of your love and support.