Roy Patterson was born 10 February 1913 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma to Frank and Naomi (Dade) Patterson. He later married Clara Dyer of Oklahoma. From 1938-1946 he worked as personnel manager for the Tulsa, Okla. S.H. Kress Store. Patterson's father-in-law, T.C. Dyer, owned funeral homes in Okmulgee, Sapulpa, and Tulsa, Okla; Dyer urged Patterson to become involved in the Sapulpa home. In 1946, Patterson attended the Mortuary Science College in Atlanta, Georgia; he became a licensed embalmer and funeral director in Georgia, Oklahoma, and Kansas. In November 1948, Patterson moved to Coffeyville, Kansas as owner and manager of Dyer-Patterson Funeral Home; after closing her Tulsa beauty shop, Clara joined him in February 1949. From 1951-53, Patterson served in Korea as a Civilian Identification Specialist. After returning from Korea Patterson operated a T.V. and radio shop, in addition to the funeral home; in 1966 he phased the shop out and served as Manager-Secretary-Treasurer for the 3-C Credit Union. In 1969, Patterson was elected to the Coffeyville City Commission, becoming the city's first black city commissioner. In 1971 he became Mayor; he was elected to the position for four terms. Patterson died, however, before starting his fourth term.
Patterson was an active community member. He participated in numerous organizations including: the Amity Lodge No. 236 F&AM, the Kansas Credit Union League (also serving as a board member), the Coffeyville American Red Cross chapter (also a board member), and he served as president of the Human Relations Commission and the Citizens Advisory Committee for urban renewal.
After moving to Coffeyville, Clara Patterson held a teaching job in Oklahoma from 1950-51; she then operated the family funeral home while Patterson was in Korea. In 1966, she took a teaching position with the Coffeyville School system. She again operated the funeral home after Patterson's death. Mrs. Patterson was a very active member of the local C.M.E. church.
The Patterson's had one daughter, Regina. Roy T. Patterson died 24 April 1974.
From the guide to the Patterson family papers, 1950-1979, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kansas Collection)
