52 Ancestors: #2 MELVIN DAVIS PATTERSON

Again, this is what I wrote on his memorial on findagrave.com:

week 2

MELVIN DAVIS PATTERSON

my father

Melvin is on the left here.  I think these are Army uniforms from probably in the 1920's.

Probably taken about 1933

Front of Decorations Entitlement Card

Decorations Melvin entitled to wear

Melvin's Navy ID card

Back of his ID Card

Gerry and John standing,  Ruth and Melvin Patterson about 1961

Melvin Davis "Pat" Patterson was born January 25, 1904 according to the family Bible. He was born in Granite, Greer, Oklahoma. It was Oklahoma Territory at the time of his birth. His mother, Katie Hasson Tadlock Patterson, died from Childbirth fever in 1913 and the son she bore at that time, Jasper Patterson, Jr. only survived a few weeks. His father, Jasper Patterson, was a blacksmith. 

He joined the army in 1923 (I think) and got a delayed birth certificate. The elderly Doctor listed his birthdate as 1905, and he lived with that on all official documents. His next younger brother was born October 24, 1905; Possible, but not likely for them to be born in the same year. When he was forced to retire about the age of 64 (per birth certificate) the Navy Lawyer he talked to, said the Navy might court martial him if he tried to correct it. Therefore, he had to wait an extra year for Social Security or take a reduced amount.

After the army (6 years I believe) he became a printer (he may have apprenticed before the army. In 1920 census age 15 he was a delivery boy for a printing co.) I believe he was in the infantry. A few years later he joined the Navy. He retired in 1947 with 25 years service (including army service) as a Chief Petty Officer - Printer. He married Ruth Lucille Weddle, in 1933 and defacto adopted her son, John Franklin Freeman. He owned a couple of printing businesses in San Diego County and ended his working career at the San Diego Union-Tribune Newspaper. He was a linotype operator for them, and the advent of computerized technology caused his early retirement.

He lost Ruth to Cancer in 1965. He continued to live on Dunbar Lane in El Cajon area (actually rural area closer to Alpine). He grew fruits and vegetables on his 3 acres. A lifelong smoker, he ended up with Emphysema and Osteoporosis and Heart problems. He died in 1985 after several years of poor health.

He was survived by his son John F Patterson, daughter Geraldine Ruth Patterson Humes, son-in-law Cecil Humes and Grandsons; Patrick R Humes, Christopher S Humes, and Gregory K. Humes.

Melvin sometime in the late 70's or early 80's

The Beard didn't last too long - I never saw him in it.

Melvin D. Patterson: Newspaper Obituary and Death Notice

Evening Tribune (San Diego, CA) - December 7, 1985

Deceased Name: Melvin D. Patterson

Services for Melvin D. Patterson, 80, of El Cajon, will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Greenwood Mortuary, with entombment in Greenwood Mausoleum. He died Wednesday in a hospital.
Mr. Patterson, a native of Oklahoma, lived in the county 52 years and had worked as a newspaper Linotype operator.
Survivors include a son, John of El Cajon; a daughter, Geraldine Humes of Santa Rosa, Calif.; a sister, Maggie Ranck of Indiana; a brother, Kenneth of Oklahoma; and three grandchildren.
Edition: 1,2
Page: A-6
Copyright 1985 Union Tribune Publishing Co. 

Above info was originally posted on findagrave.com located here: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11309542

Here is a link to a Memorial page on fold3.com:  http://www.fold3.com/page/93080733_melvin_davis_patterson_born_1905/

If you have Ancestry.com you can find him on my Public tree:  http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/129303/person/-2118544739?pgNum=1

Melvin's Crypt at Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego.
Photo courtesy of findagrave.com contributor:  Angel Kirstin's Mommy