James C. Patrick
Marriages
Estella
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6B - September 6, 2013
James C. Patrick, born December 6, 1929 and died September 1,
2013, when 83 years young.
He was born to Virgil Andrew Patrick and Laura Belle Adkins
Patrick in Pike County, Kentucky. James had six brothers and sisters,
Chester A. Arthur, Virgil Jr., Neva Jo, Dorthy, Opal Janetta and
Avigail. His mother, father and four siblings preceded him in death.
His oldest brother, Chester A. Arthur lives in Bull Head City , Arizona
and his youngest sister, Neva Jo Houston lives in Brighton ,
Colorado. He is also survived by his wife of 62 years, Estella Fern
Watson-Patrick; daughter, Sandra Patrick-Christopher (Vernon
Wiley Christopher); two granddaughters, Micah Lynn Green ( John
Green), and Baylee Alexander Christopher. He has one great-grandchild
who is his name sake, James Edward Green. James was a fa -
ther figure to his wife's two youngest siblings, Leona Watson and
Jeanne Sanderson, and a favorite "Uncle Jim," to many nieces and
nephews. He has two honorary daughters, Cathy Mills and Nancy
Bierbaumer.
As a child, James grew up in the hills of Kentucky and lived an enchanted
life like Huckleberry Finn. He shared stories of his adventures
like hunting in the woods, operating a ferry business across the
river, and tapping sugar maple tress that grew in his front yard. His
tales included delights of a mischievous and joyous little boy.
When he was 15 his family moved to Colorado because his father,
who was a coal miner, had black lung disease. His father died
shortly after they came to a new state. Until his passing he grieved
the loss of his father.
He met Estella Fern Watson in Lamar, Colorado and they were
married in 1951. They had one daughter, Sandra Lynn. James
bought an acre of land on the dry land and became a gentleman
farmer and worked for the city of Lamar. He built his family their
first home which was his pride and joy.
In 1962, he moved his family to Grand Junction so his wife could
attend the first registered nurse program at Mesa College. He
worked in various jobs and then retired from Grand Valley Electric
in 1993. James enjoyed playing on the softball leagues through
Parks and Recreation in the spring and summer.
When he retired he fulfilled his dream of building a cabin on the
back side of the Mesa in Bull Basin. He hosted many family get
together up there "on top of the world." James was a joker and a
tease and had a sparkle in his eye and a warm smile. He was kind,
generous, patient and made the best of every situation. James was
also opinionated. He said the "Catholic Church was the only true
church"; Pabst Blue Ribbon light beer was the only one worth
drinking; the best motorcycle was a Harley Davidson; the only car to
drive was a Cadillac and his family should celebrate their Irish
heritage. He could offer advice even when you didn't want it, but he
was usually right.
James loved to wheel and deal and enjoyed buying and selling junk
sell finds. There's an old story in the family that he sold the same
guinea hens to his father every Saturday so that he could get enough
money for the show. He never missed "Jeopardy" and watched the
Spanish channel to improve his use of the language. He looked for
conversational partners that would help him fine tune his Spanish.
James was a mechanical genius and could fix any object placed in
front of him. His family searched for the most complex puzzles to
stump him. He would stay up all night until he solved it.
Family was his priority and he flew around the country fixing his
daughter's cars or moving her from one state to another. His
granddaughters who he nicknamed " My Little Tulip" ( Micah) and
"Bettle Bailey" ( Baylee) were the light of his life. Teaching them to
fish, play sports and bike ride were his favorite past times. For his
birthday he would say he only wanted a good meal and the
fellowship of his loved ones. Cards were a treasure and he saved and
read them over and over.
Later in his life he discovered the love of painting and took art
classes. His family appreciated his talent. James marveled at t he
beauty of nature, loved animals and flowers.
When planning his death he was very specific and asked for a
simple farewell which was so true to his nature. He wanted to be
placed in a simple pine box with three holes in the bottom so his
body would go aback into the earth. He asked that his friends and
loved ones not mourn for him, but plan a traditional" Irish Wake"
and celebrate his life. In honor of James, a funeral will be held on
September 7, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. A
reception will follow at Pantuso's Restaurant after the ceremony.
Interment will be in Mesa, Colorado.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6B Death Notice - September 4, 2013
James C. Patrick, 83, Grand Junction, died Sept. 1, 2013, at his
home.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.
Burial will be at Mesa Cemetery.
Mr. Patrick was a warehouse worker.
Survivors include his wife, Estella; one daughter, Sandra Patrick
of Grand Junction; one brother, Chester A. of Bullhead City, Ariz.;
one sister, Neva Jo Houston of Brighton; two grandchildren; and
one great-grandchild.
Memorial contributions to The Art Center, 1803 N. Seventh St.,
Grand Junction, 81501; or the Roice-Hurst Humane Society, P.O.
Box 4040, Grand Junction, 81502.
