Leon L. Patten, Sr.

Leon L. Patten, Sr., 85, of Hendersonville, NC, died Tuesday morning, March 31, 2009 at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock after a sudden illness.

Born in Milford, NH, he was the son of the late Orion and Bernice Bills Patten, and husband of the late Edith Patten, who died in December of 2006. He was also preceded in death by two sons, James Patten and Leon ìSkipî Patten, Jr., and eleven siblings.

A US Army veteran of World War II, he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was in construction most of his life and moved to Henderson County in the early 1980s. He owned and operated an antique boutique in Chimney Rock and was actively involved in community functions. He was a member of the Chimney Rock Fire Department for many years.

He enjoyed helping people, gardening, woodworking, and caring for all animals. He remained active in his later years, even riding horses up until two years ago.

He is survived by his loving family, daughter, Terri Charron and husband, Reggie, of Groveton, NH; foster son, Joe Bills of Wilton, NH; three adopted children, Sarah Stermer and husband, Chris, of Port St. Lucie, FL; Cliff Patten and wife, Tonya, of Kingsport,TN; and Bill Patten of Groveton, NH; three stepdaughters, Wendy Peterson of Manchester, NH; Marcia Lloyd and husband, Paul, Merrimack, NH; and Sandy Frost and husband, George, of Concord, NH; stepson, Jeffrey Strong of Nashua, NH; siblings, Freeman Patten and wife, Barbara,of Merrimack, NH; Freda Patten of Sterling, MA; Penny Thomas of Boscawen, NH; Carl Patten of Enfield, NH; Harold Patten of Hardwick, VT; Edward Patten of Claude, TX; Roland Patten of Peterborough, NH; Evelyn Smith of Shirley, MA; Mona Tuttle of Bedford, VA; Shirley Rafter and husband, Bruce, of Wilton, NH; Eva De Souza and husband, Canute, of Bridgewater, MA; and Ruth Kelly and husband, Daniel, of Andover, NH; his guardian angel family, Elizabeth Hemme and husband, Dr. Hal, and their two daughters; brother-in-law, Eric Borman and wife, Judy, of Canton, MA; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM Thursday, April 2, 2009 at the Church of the Transfiguration in Bat Cave. The Reverend Mickey Mugan will officiate. A memorial service will also be held in New Hampshire at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Four Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.