James "Larry" Patterson

Mr. James “Larry” Patterson, 74, of Mamers passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at Betsy Johnson Hospital in Dunn. He was born in Lee County, the son of the late James Adam and Virginia Bell Patterson. In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by sisters, Emma Patterson Byrd, Ann Patterson Collins, Sadie Patterson Byrd and brother, John B. Patterson; his two beloved fur babies, Sugar and Roxy.

Larry loved and adored his family. His greatest joy was his grandchildren and his great grandchild. Whether he was helping one of his children with a weed eater problem, chain saw problem or sharing oysters with them. Larry loved his Shirley and his loss to her is so profoundly deep and sad. He was her everything and she was the “love of his life.”

His faith in Jesus was deep and he continued to witness his faith and his love of Jesus even through his extended illness. Larry was a long-time member of Antioch Baptist Church and during Covid he made the decision to be more active in his church. He loved his church family beyond words, and he loved his “Pastor Rick” Beacham.

Larry loved the land, especially his little farm. It hurt him deeply to see the decline of the small family farms around him. He recently had his John Deere 1010 tractor refurbished and he even had a shop built to hold this tractor as it had always been very special to him for so many years. Larry had such wonderful memories on the C.P. Stewart land whether it was farming with his dad and his uncles or playing with Donnie Patterson and Carl Byrd. They called themselves the “Three Musketeers.”

Larry loved gardening and working in the yard. He gave many vegetables away to family and friends. It did not matter how hot it was outside, Larry was outside. His family had many concerns over this, but he would dismiss all concerns with “it’s not that hot or there is a breeze blowing.”

Larry loved his 43 years of working with Champion Mobile Home Builders and its subsidiaries as a materials purchaser. He had a special friendship with his “work wife” Jackie Harrington for many years and made so many friendships with other employees and the suppliers he worked with.

Larry loved NASCAR racing, any and all UNC sports, professional football games, yet he would watch a good movie or “series”, too. He enjoyed playing a round of golf, either left-handed or right-handed.  

Larry loved to shag dance. He was a member of the Competitive Shag Association for many years and he and Shirley competed in contests and were proud to be in the Novice Division. Larry was a past president of HASA (Harnett Area Shag Association, a member of the Chatham Area Shag Association (Pittsboro), a member of the Sugarfoot Shag Club (Goldsboro), and a member of the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs. For years, Shirley and Larry attended SOS in North Myrtle Beach. Larry and Shirley participated in the Guinness Book of World Records dancing with the largest number of people doing the shag dance at one time. He truly loved the dance, the music, and the people that were brought into his life through shagging. Larry and Shirley always had many wonderful times with friends in participating in beach music cruises. Such as very special friends: Joann and Michael Williams (Grantham), Susan and Steve Brock (Goldsboro), Ann and Stacy (deceased) Plumber (Pittsboro) and so many more too numerous to name, but he loved everyone of you. All those friendships made were so dear to Larry. Larry taught the shag dance up to four nights a week for many years. He wanted to bring people to the lifestyle and the camaraderie. He had such a genuine love of people. He so loved the music associated with the shag and the bands that provided music to shag too. He also danced “disco” back in the day and would call himself “Larry Travolta.”

Larry loved the Patterson Reunion held in July at the “church.” He always talked that he hoped the “next generation” would understand how important it was to continue with annual reunions.

Larry loved his classmates from the Boone Trail School. He would always say to Shirley “not to bad for a guy coming from an education at a 1A school!” He loved participating in the annual reunion with his classmates.

Larry was always a gentleman, kind, compassionate, funny, witty, and always loving. He always supported his community, friends, and relatives.

Larry is survived by his wife of 22 years, Shirley Patterson; beloved children, Lorrie Patterson Reuther and husband John, Jamie Patterson and wife Barbie; beloved grandchildren, Tyler Cash and wife Heather, Andrew Patterson and wife Hannah, Jordan Reuther and partner Aaron Rael, Grayson Reuther; beloved great grandchild, Asher Patterson; sisters, beloved and special sister, Carolyn Patterson Haire and Marie Hinesley; many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM- 12:45 PM Friday, January 6, 2023, at Antioch Baptist Church in Mamers. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 PM in the church sanctuary with Pastor Rick Beacham officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The Patterson family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and CNA’s at Betsy Johnson Hospital for the honesty, kindness, and compassion given to Larry and his family.

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