Thomas Judson Patterson, III, better known as “Tommy”. “Coach” or “Happy Tom” passed away peacefully at home on Monday, April 28, 2025.
Born in Camden, AR on January 11, 1940, he was the son of Judson and Norma Bishop Patterson who preceded him in death along with his sister, Virginia Patterson Miller and his son Thomas Lake Patterson and his beloved Brittany Spaniel bird dog, Trouble.
Tommy graduated from El Dorado High School in 1958, making wonderful memories, playing football, baseball and running track. (Yes, and his suffering knees reminded him at 85 years!) A lifetime of friends came of these school years too!
He started college at UCA and went on to finish at Henderson, ready with his degree to start a career in coaching, which he greatly loved. He began coaching at Camden Fairview and ended with Junction City after 17 years. Tommy then started a new phase as a Real Estate Agent, Broker and owner. He found his place in that and loved it for 45 years.
He loved to garden and raised lots of peas, potatoes, tomatoes and peppers thru the years along with beekeeping and harvesting honey. Tommy loved the outdoors, and fishing, (both bass and crappie). Some of his favorite times were quail hunting in West Texas with his buddies, Doodle, John and Bill.
Survivors include his wife, Kay Spooner Patterson, daughters, Lisa Patterson and spouse, Kristin Fentress, and Sheri Lucas; step-daughters, Leslie Stegall Morgan and Laura Stegall along with grandchildren, Keri, T. J., Jacey, Lindsey, and Jamie and 8 great-grandchildren and one nephew, Jon Fouse and especially his faithful buddy, ToTo.
Visitations will be held Sunday May 4, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Young’s. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 5, 2025 at First United Methodist Church in El Dorado with Rev. Allen Crum officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in Camden, AR under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.
In lieu of flowers please make memorials to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or UCAPS in El Dorado.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
