E. C. Patterson

E. C. “Pat” Patterson III, DDS, 76, died on August 28, 2016 at his home in Eatonton, GA, following a period of declining health.  His family was with him when he died. Pat was born on January 28, 1940 in Washington, PA to E. Curtis and Helen Patterson.  He graduated in 1962 with a B.S. from Central Michigan University where he had a full swimming Academic scholarship.   In 1967 he earned his DDS from the University of Illinois Dental School in Chicago and did a post-graduate residency in Periodontology at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston.  Pat then served at Parris Island, SC as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy until he was honorably discharged in 1971.  That year Pat and his family moved to Macon, GA, where he opened his periodontics practice.  Pat retired in 2013 after 42 years of practice.  During those years, he was an Associate Professor of Graduate Periodontics at the Medical College of Georgia, teaching for almost 20 years and was recognized for his excellence in and commitment to periodontology.  He was an Honorable Fellow of the Georgia Dental Association, a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, a Pierre Fauchard Academy Fellow and a Fellow of the International Team of Implantology.  He was a past president of the Central District of the Georgia Dental Society and the Southern Academy of Periodontology.  In 2004, Pat received the American Academy of Periodontology Fellowship Award in recognition of his distinguished service to the Academy.  He was also Chief of Staff of Coliseum Park Hospital in Macon, GA. Pat and Patricia Osborne were married on June 27, 1964 and have been each other’s companion, counselor and comforter for 52 years.  Their shared love of swimming drew them constantly to the water and they moved to Lake Oconee where they have had a home since 1993. In addition to his love of family and dentistry, he loved swimming, tennis, cars, wind surfing, water skiing and bird hunting.

Pat is survived by his wife, Patricia Patterson of Eatonton, GA; two children, Kim Goforth and her husband Doug of Atlanta, GA and Todd Patterson of Columbia, SC; three siblings, John Patterson of Newport Beach, CA, Cynthia Garrison of Canonsburg, PA and Pamela Rice of Gainesville, FL; and four grandchildren, Tyler, Samantha, Bryson and Blake, and too many friends to count.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on August 31st at Christ Our King and Savior Catholic Church in Eatonton, GA.  Contributions in Dr. E. C. “Pat” Patterson’s memory may be sent to St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o Christ Our King and Savior Catholic Church, American Academy of Periodontology, c/o Dr. E. C. “Pat” Patterson Scholarship Fund, N. Michigan Ave, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60611 or Adopt A Golden Atlanta, P. O. Box 420256, Atlanta, GA 30342.  McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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