Obituary of George S. Patterson

George Stephen “Steve” Patterson, 69, passed away suddenly, Thursday, August 11, 2016, at his home. Born August 12, 1946 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, he was the son of the late William R. “Pat” Patterson and Helen Gabriel Patterson. Steve was a veteran of the United States Navy and served his country during the Vietnam War. He was retired from Broadcast Media in the Columbia area and had been a radio veteran and urban specialist for over 37 years. To quote Steve, “he had a wonderful life”. He was an avid tennis player in his earlier years and enjoyed the outdoors with his English setters and at the Rivers Farms. Most of all, he cherished the time that he spent with his daughter and granddaughters. Surviving are his wife, Linda Elmore Patterson; his daughter, Stephanie Patterson Champion (Todd) all of Sumter; a brother, Mike Patterson of Great Falls, Montana; a sister, Missy Patterson of Ypsilanti, Michigan; an aunt, Frances Forsberg of Hot Springs, Arkansas; three granddaughters, Lauren Hayley Champion, Megan Caroline Champion and Mary Todd Champion who affectionately called him “Pat”. Memorial Services will be held at 3 P.M. Sunday at Bethel United Methodist Church, 5575 Lodebar Road, Sumter, South Carolina with the Rev. Jeremy Howell and the Rev. Billy Lewis officiating. A reception will be held in the Family Life Center of the church following the service. The family will receive friends at the home. Memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Palmetto, 1122 Lady Street, Suite 1000, Columbia, SC 29201. On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.