David Denver Patterson

David Denver Patterson, 87, of Morehead City, North Carolina, formerly of Easley, South Carolina, passed away into his Lord’s arms on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Carteret Health Care. A proud son of South Carolina, David was born at home on January 27, 1938, in Calhoun-Clemson and spent a lifetime devoted to faith, family, and Clemson Tiger football.

The next to the youngest son of Isaac Newton Patterson and Bertha Lewis Patterson’s 8 children, Dave grew up when ice was delivered in large blocks, and every boy wanted to be the Lone Ranger. So many happy days and great memories were made with his siblings growing up in Clemson. Everyone had chores at home and learned the value of hard work and responsibility to help with such a large family – a gift he would pass on to his family.

His first job outside of the home was manning the grill at “Pat’s Place” in Clemson, across the street from Judge Keller’s store—an experience that taught him the art of winning friends, influencing people, and that working for his brother Charles was not a good long-term plan. The other summer job was at L.C. Martin’s drug store in Clemson working at the soda fountain. It was here that he met Capt’n Clinkscales, a favorite long-time customer who came in daily for a coke and two cigars.

David was in the first senior class to graduate from D.W. Daniel High School. He attended Clemson University where he graduated in 1963 with a degree in Textile Management. David served honorably in the Army National Guard through college and several years after.

He went on to have a successful 35-year career with several companies in the textile industry. First, with Burlington Industries and later with West Point Pepperell in Lumberton, NC serving as VP of Administration and Controller of the Apparel Fabrics Division with Alamac Knits. He returned to upstate South Carolina in 1993 with Steve Co Knits and later retired from the textile industry in 1999. Dave led with integrity, a love for people, and a grand sense of humor in each of these roles.

Throughout his life, he was a man of deep faith, deciding to follow Christ as a teenager at Camp Rawls Baptist Youth camp in Aitken County. He grew up in his faith at First Baptist Church of Clemson, then later in First Presbyterian Church of Lumberton, and most recently at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley, SC. He often joked that he had been “both sprinkled and dunked” in baptism—just to cover his bases. Because our dad loved Jesus, our family can know our magnificent heavenly Father. How blessed we are to have been taught the truths of the gospel by him and how very missed he will be in our family. We look forward to seeing him again in heaven.

An outdoorsman at heart, David loved hunting, fishing, and landscape photography—especially of the waterfalls and scenic views of the South Carolina upstate. He was a lifelong Clemson Tigers fan who never missed a football season and always knew the sports schedule. He enjoyed trading cars frequently and never met a truck he didn’t like. His gift of storytelling lives on in “The Adventures of Bob and Bill,” a collection of his written tales originally told as bedtime stories for his boys when they were growing up.

Dave previously served on several civic committees, including his most enjoyable one as troop committee chair of Boy Scout Troop 301 in Lumberton, NC. His influence in this way ensured his sons and other young men had a meaningful Scouting experience and learned the values found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. He was the dad that would tell the best stories around the campfire.

He had a collector’s soul—guns, knives, flashlights—and was especially delighted when Amazon began delivering those joys straight to his door (often daily). Later in his life, despite poor vision, he enjoyed publishing the monthly family calendar of birthdays and anniversaries and sending it out to all Patterson’s and related families. He was great at keeping the growing family connected in this way over many years.

His biggest joy was his family. He is survived by his sons: Brian Patterson and his wife Kerrie of Vancouver, WA; Greg Patterson and his wife Melissa of Morehead City, NC; and Bobby Patterson and his wife Alissia of Honea Path, SC. His legacy continues through his grandchildren: Greg and Melissa’s children: Caitlin (Tyler) Schryver, Alli (Shelby) Davis, Austin (Madi) Patterson, Tyler (Anna Lane) Patterson and Julia Patterson, and Brian and Kerrie’s daughter Crystal (Sean) Monaghan. He is also survived by his older sister, Elizabeth Grayson of St. Simons Island, GA, and younger brother, George Patterson (Donna) of Clemson, SC. In addition to his children and grandchildren, David has great-grandchildren Landon, Aryah, Evan, Parker, Howie and Archie and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death his parents, his sister Dr. Marilyn Anderson, and older brothers Charles, James, Ike and Bobby Patterson.

A visitation will take place at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home of Central, SC, on Saturday June 21st, 2025, from 10:00 - 10:45 am. A celebration of his life will follow visitation starting at 11:00 am in the funeral home chapel. Interment will be at Old Stone Church Cemetery, 101 Stone Circle, Clemson, South Carolina will follow the service.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com.

Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home is assisting the family.