Patterson, Roy Theodore, 1913-1974

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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)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Patterson, Roy Theodore, 1913-1974. [Patterson family papers] University of Kansas Archives / MSS / Rare Books, Kenneth Spencer Research Library
creatorOf Patterson family papers, 1950-1979 University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kanas Collection
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Patterson, Clara D. person
associatedWith Patterson Funeral Home (Coffeyville, Kan.) corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Kansas
Kansas--Coffeyville
Subject
African American business enterprises
African American business enterprises
African American mayors
African American mayors
Funeral homes
Funeral homes
Patterson Funeral Home (Coffeyville, Kan.)
Undertakers and undertaking
Undertakers and undertaking
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1913

Death 1974

Information

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