ROCHESTER - Sgt. Nicholas "Nick" James Patterson, 24, beloved husband, father, brother and son, died Sept. 10, 2007, in Iraq, serving his country.
He came to this world full of life on Feb. 26, 1983, to James and Jane Patterson. On Dec. 27, 2006, he married his long-time love and high school sweetheart, Jayme Saner, who survives in Fayetteville, N.C. They dreamed of a long and loving marriage.
He attended Rochester High School where was a vital part of the baseball and basketball programs.
He joined the U.S. Army on May 18, 2004. After basic training, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, where he served with the 3-505th Parachute Infantry Battalion and 1-73 Calvary. He deployed as a member of C Troop 1-73 CAV as a scout in support of Hurricane Katrina and deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; two Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Ribbon; Iraqi Campaign Medal; The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; The Overseas Service Ribbon; Combat Infantryman's Badge; and the Parachutist's Badge.
Also surviving are a son, who he adored, Reilley Nicholas Caden Patterson, Fayetteville; his father and stepmother, James and Virginia Patterson, Rochester; his mother and stepfather, Jane and Scott Holmes, Warsaw; a stepbrother, Kyle McLochlin, Rochester; a sister, Tai Patterson Johnson, Mishawaka; grandparents: Charles and Mollie Patterson, Seabring, Fla.; Larry Holmes, Alma, Mich.; and Betty Hewett, Mishawaka; and his "brothers" of 1-325 C-Troop with whom he took great pride in serving next to. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Harold and Kathryn Hodge and Mildred Holmes.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Rochester High School gymnasium with full military honors. A private burial will be at Akron Cemetery following the service.
Calling will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the gymnasium.
Earl-Love Funeral Home, Akron, is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials to the Reilley Patterson Trust Fund, c/o any 1st Source Bank location.
