Arvon “John” John Patterson Jr.

Arvon John Patterson “John”, age 78, of Colora, MD, passed away Friday, June 23, 2023. He was born in Baltimore, MD on June 22, 1945, to the late Arvon John Patterson, Sr., and Martha Blanche Patterson (Lewis).

John (also known to many as Pee Wee) was proud to be a U.S. Marine.  He served his country in Vietnam, where he was an artillery expert and obtained survival skills. He enjoyed passing these skills down to his daughter and teaching her how to grow into a self-sufficient woman.  God, Country and his family, were of the utmost importance to him.  He was the epitome of the American Soldier.

In John’s younger years, he built racing cars and rode motorcycles when he could with his gang of childhood friends, whom he considered his brothers.   He had a love for many things but enjoyed making memories with his family; dancing with his wife, Jackie, traveling to Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and North Carolina, camping at Deep Creek Lake, MD, Gettysburg, PA, family trips (many with his grandchildren), watching Jeopardy, and teaching his daughter to ski are just a few examples.  In his free time, John loved anything involving nature and more recently, gathering with his old crew (friendships that had existed for over 70 years) and reminiscing of old times… He loved his neighbors, who were not just neighbors and friends, but were his family for over 35 years.

After retirement, you would most often find John working in his yard, usually spending time with his neighbor, Dave. After the passing of his brother, he became the honorary father to his brothers’ children, Jack, and Debby.  Also, after the passing of his “chosen brother” and neighbor, Poppy Jim, he took it upon himself to watch over Poppy’s daughters and grandchildren as he had picked them (his words).  He left a lifetime of memories that will be cherished by those who will continue to carry on his legacy.

John is survived by his daughter, Melissa Jenis Thompson (Brian); grandchildren: Matthew Jenis, Jacob Jenis (Johanna), and Tristan Jenis; nephew, Jack Patterson, Jr. (Renee); niece, Debby Snider (John), and many great nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by his loving wife, Jacalyn Patterson and brother, Jack Patterson, Sr.

At the convenience of the family, services for John will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to the “Wounded Warriors Project” or “Disabled Veterans” and sent in care of R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., P.O. Box 248, Rising Sun, MD 21911. To make online condolences, please visit www.rtfoard.com.