Lowell William Patterson passed away March 6, 2022, at Carbondale Memorial Hospital.
Lowell was born Oct. 16, 1932, near Kingman, to Delena (Robinson) and Vinson W. Patterson. After graduating from Kingman High School, he worked on his father’s farm and then enlisted in the Navy, serving in the helicopter antisubmarine squadron aboard the ships USS Oriskany, USS Gilbert Islands, USS Antietam and the USS Saipan.
After the Navy, he enrolled in the forestry program at Louisiana State University, then later transferred to Purdue University where he graduated with honors. He took a position with the U.S. Forest Service serving the Umpqua National Forest in Oregon, the Ottawa National Forest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the Nicolet National Forest in northern Wisconsin and retired from the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois.
On Dec. 21, 1952, he married Marsha Ann Mann at Kingman. To this union were born three sons, Michael Steven (Edel Anaya), Daniel Todd (Michelle) and Gregory Allen, (Tracey). They survive with grandchildren, Lauren, Katrin, Erica, Lindsey (Gutsmiedl), Angelica and Kelson and great-grandchildren, Hunter Lowell, Cooper Glen and Luca.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sister Rosalie; and brother Leon.
Lowell was active as an elder at Harrisburg First Christian Church. He belonged to the Masonic Lodge in Yeddo, the American Legion in Kenton, Michigan, the NRA and the Eastern National Forest Interpretive Association. Lowell was a talented cartoonist publishing in several papers under the name of Billy Bob Moe in Wisconsin and Southern Illinois.
Lowell was an avid outdoors man and delighted in fishing, hunting and other various outdoor activities. His love of snowmobiling led him to help found the Nicolet Snow Safari, a successful and ever expanding trail system in northern Wisconsin.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Christian Church in Harrisburg, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts would be deeply appreciated, as donations, to the Harrisburg First Christian Church or the American Cancer Society.
Burial will be at a later date at the Fraternal Cemetery in Kingman.
