Raymond Gerald Patterson, age 85 of Joplin, Mo., passed away August 10, 2017 at his daughter’s house, surrounded by his family.

He was born March 22, 1932, in Neosho, Mo. to Ora and Norma Patterson. At age 16, he enlisted in the National Guard and served his country for four years. Raymond retired in 1996 from Yellow Freight having been a truck driver for them for 33 years. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Webb City, Mo. and a former member of Masonic Lodge #247 in Neosho. Raymond loved baseball. He played in the Minor Leagues for the New York Yankees, a talent scout for the Chicago Cubs and a little league umpire.

Raymond is survived by his wife of 10 1/2 years, Deola L. Patterson two sons; Stanford Patterson and his wife, Michelle of Florence, Ky. and Clark Patterson of Webb City, two daughters; Becci Hunter and David Randall of Carthage, Mo. and Virginia “Gigi” Wolff and her husband Thomas of Joplin, his brother, Ronnie Patterson of Miami, Ok. and his sister, Norma Jean Richard of Wichita, Ks., 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Cheri Wyren a grandson, Jacob Hunter, his brother, Bobby and a sister, Sonya.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 14, 2017 at the Mason-Woodard Chapel. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service. A private family interment will be held in Gibson Cemetery, Neosho, Mo.