Sgt. Nicholas Patterson
February 26, 1983 - September 10, 2007
Sgt. Nicholas "Nick" James Patterson, 24, beloved husband, father, brother and son passed away Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, in Iraq, serving his country.
He came to this world full of life on Feb. 26, 1983. He attended Rochester High School where he was a vital part of the baseball and basketball programs. He was blessed to become a father to a beautiful son, Reilley Nicholas Caden Patterson, whom he adored. He married his long time love and high school sweetheart, the former Jayme Saner of Akron, on Dec. 27, 2006. They dreamed of a long and loving marriage.
Sgt. Nicholas "Nick" Patterson joined the Army on May 18, 2004. After basic training, Sgt. Patterson was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, where he served with 3-505th Parachute Infantry Battalion and 1-73 Cavalry. Sgt. Patterson deployed as a member of C Troop 1-73 Cavalry as a scout in support of Hurricane Katrina and deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Patterson's awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, two Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, The Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Parachutist's Badge.
Nick is survived by his loving wife, Jayme (Saner) Patterson and his son, Reilley, both of Fayetteville, N.C.; his father and stepmother James and Virginia Patterson of Rochester; his mother and stepfather Jane and Scott Holmes of Warsaw; a stepbrother, Kyle McLochlin of Rochester; and a sister, Tai (Patterson) Johnson of Mishawaka. Nick is also survived by his grandparents, Charles and Mollie Patterson, Sebring, Fla., and Larry Holmes, Alma, Mich., and Betty Hewett, Mishawaka; and his father-in-law and mother-inlaw, James and Janice Saner. Also surviving are his "brothers" of 1-325 C-Troop with whom he took great pride in serving next to. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Harold and Kathryn Hoge and Mildred Holmes. Also killed in the vehicle wreck were: Pfc. Ari D Brown-Weeks, 23, of Abingdon, Md.; Pfc. Steven Elrod, 20, of Hope Mills, N.C.; Staff Sgt. Yance Gray, 26, of Ismay, Mont.; Sgt. Michael C. Hardegree, 21, of Villa Rica, Ga.; Sgt. Omar Mora, 28, of Texas City, Texas.; Staff Sgt. Gregory Rivera-Santiago 26 of St. Croix, Virgin Islands. The oldest of the dead soldiers was 28, the youngest, 20. They leave behind five wives, two sons, four daughters, seven mothers, five fathers, one step-father, numerous brothers, sisters and grandparents, scores of friends and seven grieving communities. None of them will grow old. But all of them will be remembered.
The 82nd has lost 145 paratroopers in combat since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq began, according to The Associated Press. Patterson was the 92nd member of the military from Indiana to have died after being sent to the Mideast for the war in Iraq.
Funeral Information
The plane bearing Sgt. Nick Patterson's casket will arrive at 9:39 AM on Monday 9-17-2007 at Grissom AFB in Peru, IN and proceed north on US 31.
Sgt. Patterson's visitation is to begin Tuesday, Sept. 18th, at 2 p.m. in the Rochester High School gymnasium until 8 p.m.. On Wednesday,Sept. 19th, funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. in the Rochester High School gymnasium. The processional route will pass through Rochester on its way to the final resting place, in the Akron Cemetery just south of Akron on State Road 14 for a private family service. His funeral arrangements are being handled by Earl-Love Funeral Home, Akron.
Donations Information
A trust fund has been established at the First Source Bank of Rochester for his son. Memorial contributions may be sent in care of Reilley Patterson Trust Fund to any First Source Bank location.
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