Obituary of James Patterson

James Patterson was born on May 10th, 1935 in the small town of Martinez, GA to his loving parents Cleveland and Lucille Patterson.  James was educated in the Augusta School System, attending The Immaculate Conception High School, in Augusta GA.  After graduating in 1954,  James attended Maryland State College where he met his soon to be bride , Phyllis Black.  He decided to move to Philadelphia, and stay with his Mother’s sister and confident Annie Carter.  After a short stay, his parents came to Philly to have him return home.  While nothing could keep him from his love Phyllis, they married in 1958.  He joined the ROTC and Army Reserve in 1962 earning a Honorable Discharge in 1964. Shortly thereafter,  James started a career as a  Life Insurance Salesman  with Mutual of New York.  He very quickly earned the respect of the community and his peers by becoming one of the top Sales professionals in his industry.  In fact, he earned the MONY Man of the Year and The Million Dollar Roundtable Award multiple times.   James earned his CHFC and CLU and decided to retire from MONY, and started his own practice.  His business impacted the lives of hundreds of clients and generations of families as he was respected as a “trusted advisor."

James studied Karate under Master Lee Tae Kwando in Marlton NJ, earning a black belt in Martial arts.  He went on to share his talent teaching the art at the school.  In addition, he spent many years as a member of the Prince Hall Mason Lodge in Philadelphia.

 Born into a family of faith, James instilled that same faith into his family every chance he had.  

James and Phyllis lived in Philadelphia, and started their family with their 3 daughters, Kathy, Jacqueline and Jennifer.  In 1972, James moved his family to Marlton, New Jersey to the home he had built for the family.  

One of James' proudest moments was the birth of his namesake James Cleveland Patterson, his grandson.  The two would have breakfast on Saturday mornings and discuss everything from politics to basketball.

James was called home to the Lord, and leaves behind his loving wife Phyllis, daughters Jennifer Patterson  (preceeding his death were Kathy Renae  and  Jacqueline Patterson), grandson James Cleveland, Son- in-law Kirk Wilson, Aunt Elizabeth Shank, dear friend Allan Turner, and a host of nieces, nephews ,cousins and other friends near and dear to his heart.

This amazing man will be sorely missed by every life he touched.