Lieutenant Richard L. Patterson Jr., 13 year veteran with the Farmers Branch Fire Department, passed away on September 30, 2007 after being diagnosed three months earlier with brain cancer.

Viewing will be at the North Dallas Funeral Home at 2710 Valley View Ln. on Wednesday October 3, 2007 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be at Farmers Branch Church of Christ at 3035 Valley View Ln. on Thursday October 4, 2007 at 10:00 AM. Internment will be at Vera, TX 11:00 AM Friday October 5, 2007 at Vera Cemetery, 18 miles west of Seymour, Texas on Hwy 82, this is west of Wichita Falls.

Flags are being flown at half-staff at all City facilities and the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 in lieu of flowers.

Richard L. Patterson Jr.: Farmers Branch firefighter brought award program, uniforms

12:00 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 3, 2007
By JOE SIMNACHER / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]

The spirit of pride that Lt. Richard L. Patterson Jr. instilled in the Farmers Branch Fire Department will be reflected in the buttons of his fellow firefighters at his funeral Thursday.

A 13-year veteran of the department, Lt. Patterson leaves a legacy that includes an awards program and a dress-uniform protocol.

Lt. Patterson, 38, died Sunday of complications of brain cancer while in hospice care.

"Lt. Patterson was a great personal asset to the Farmers Branch Fire Department, and he will be missed by everyone," Fire Chief Kyle King said. "He was an outstanding firefighter, gifted leader, great friend."

A former Marine, Lt. Patterson established an awards program, which will be implemented this year, and coordinated the selection of uniforms and the department's protocol for wearing them.

"We did not have them before he arrived," Chief King said. "He will leave lasting contributions for our department."

Born in Celina, Ohio, Lt. Patterson graduated from high school in Plano.

He joined the Marines in 1989 and spent the majority of his military service as a ship-bound helicopter crew chief.

Lt. Patterson joined the Farmers Branch Fire Department after being honorably discharged from the Marines in 1994.

As a firefighter, he was promoted to second driver, or entry level driver, in 1998; fire equipment operator, or designated driver, in 2001; and lieutenant, an officer in charge of a firefighting crew, in 2003.

"He was 'yes sir' and 'no sir.' He was the most polite person you'd ever been around in your life," Chief King said.

Lt. Patterson received an associate's degree in fire science from Collin County Community College and had numerous certifications from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

"His accomplishments will serve our organization for many years into the future," Chief King said. "We'll not forget him."

Viewing will be from 5 to 8 tonight at North Dallas Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Farmers Branch Church of Christ.

He will be buried at 11 a.m. Friday in Vera, Texas.

Lt. Patterson is survived by his daughter, Loran Patterson of Mesquite; his mother, Barbara Parker of Seymour, Texas; a sister, Tina Kinamon of Lawrenceburg, Ind.; a brother, Lance Patterson of Seymour; and his grandmother, Violet Patterson of Vera.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
 

RICHARD L PATTERSON JR
CPL US MARINE CORPS
PERSIAN GULF
MAR 29, 1969 - SEP 30, 2007
KNOWN TO ALL AS DICK
FIREFIGHTER

Vera Cemetery, Vera, Knox County, Texas