Sam G. Patterson

SAM G. PATTERSON



TUPELO -- Sam Garmon Patterson, 71, passed away on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, surrounded by his family.



Sam was born to the late Sam Hardin Patterson and Lucille Garmon Patterson of Verona, on May 5, 1945. He graduated from Tupelo High School in 1963 and earned a degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State University in 1967.



Sam met his future wife, Lauren Hancock, at a 4-H livestock show when he was an eighth grader and she a sixth grader.  Permitted to see each other only at church initially, the two fell in love and remained faithfully committed to one another, marrying on February 8, 1969. That same year, Sam enlisted in the Air Force and was admitted to Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Upon graduation, he served at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi, and at Forbes AFB in Topeka, Kansas, as part of the Tactical Air Command. After his discharge in 1972, he and Lauren returned to Tupelo, where Sam began his professional career and where the two raised their family and attended Harrisburg Baptist Church. Sam was a true patriot who was honored to serve his military and who was grateful for the sacrifices of his fellow service men and women.



A licensed professional engineer and land surveyor, Sam was regarded as a tough-minded but fair businessman. He was the founder and president of Patterson Engineering & Development, Inc., president of Electric & Machine Services, Inc., a managing partner of Spring Lake LLC, a former partner of Tupelo Lumber Company, and the owner of Travel & Tours. His many successful developments and construction projects include Parkland Estates, the Spring Lake subdivision entrance and clubhouse, the Spanish Village complex, the L.D. Hancock Building, the Bissell Family Life Center, and countless custom homes. An advocate for his industry, Sam was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Mississippi Society of Professional Engineers, the National Association of Home Builders, and the Home Builders & Remodelers Association.



Civically, Sam served on the boards of Habitat for Humanity, the Community Development Foundation, the Community Bank Board of BancorpSouth, Inc., Blue Mountain College, the Tupelo Major Thoroughfare Program, and the building committee of the Sanctuary Hospice House, where he spent his final days. In his personal time, he enjoyed his membership in the Miller Point Rod & Gun Club, of which he served as president, and his presence on PTO boards and Parks & Recreation sidelines alike, as nothing satisfied him more than supporting and encouraging his children.



Sam is survived by his devoted wife of 48 years; daughter, Samantha Fikes, and her husband, Craig; son, Hardin Patterson; grandchildren, Taylor Fikes and Garmon Fikes; sisters-in-law, Doyce Deas (Bill) and Janice Allen; brother-in-law, Larry Hancock; nieces and nephews, Gabrielle Cooper (Rick), Melanie Deas, Lawrence Deas (Stacy), Meredith Tollison (Chris), Catherine McMahan (Jeremy), Carrie Hancock, Graham Hancock and their mother, Helen, Jessica Roberson (Joe), Jennifer Cole (Andrew), and Jacquelyn Allen; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, all of whom will remember him for his love of the outdoors, his strong hugs, and the smell of his pipe tobacco.



Sam was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sara Ann Gunter, and her husband, Gary; his in-laws, L.D. and Elaine Hancock; and his infant grandson, Samuel Craig Fikes, who must have delighted in welcoming to eternity “Boss,” as Taylor and Garmon affectionately called him.



A celebration of Sam’s life will be held on Friday, March 24, at 4:30 p.m. at Harrisburg Baptist Church, with visitation from 3 p.m. until service time.



In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Harrisburg’s Building and Maintenance Fund, 4675 Cliff Gookin Blvd., Tupelo MS 38801, or to Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo MS 38803.



Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .