Tad Patterson

Tad Olan Patterson was born June 29, 1947 in Arkansas City, Kansas and passed away October 14, 2012 at UCLA Medical Center Santa Monica, California. Tad was the second of four children to Merle Leroy and Betty Jo Patterson. Tad is survived by his wife of 31 years, Linda Grattenthaler Patterson, and their daughter, Brittany Nicole Patterson. Tad spent his early years in Derby, Kansas where he graduated from Derby Senior High School in 1965. He attended Emporia State University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1969. His freshman year at ESU, he was a founding father of Beta Sigma Tau fraternity, which later became af?liated with Phi Delta Theta fraternity, procuring bond number 2. He designed the fraternity's crest and color scheme, and was the president his freshman and sophomore years. His career path began as a marketing representative with IBM in Dodge City, Kansas and Mans?eld Ohio, followed by 3 years as a Marketing Representative with Financial Services Corporation in Atlanta. He transitioned to the ?eld of ?nancial advising as a Stock Broker for E.F. Hutton, followed by 2 years with Abercrombie and Patterson Financial Brokers in Atlanta; becoming one of the ?rst Certi?ed Financial Planners in the country. In 1980, Tad earned a Master of Arts degree in Psychology from West Georgia University, which broadened his career to counseling and psychotherapy. He also obtained a Certi?cation in Hypnotherapy and built a successful practice in Atlanta, Georgia. He practiced psychotherapy for over 30 years until his health would no longer allow him to continue. His hobbies and interests were wide and varied. Travel was a major interest, which included trips to over 65 major cities in 15 countries throughout Europe and North Africa, as well as Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and the United States. He especially appreciated visiting museums, was an avid reader on many subjects, a certi?ed scuba diver since 1979, and enjoyed abstract painting and abstract sculpting primarily with wood. He expressed himself through art with his own abstract paintings and sculptures. It is dif?cult to do justice to the incredible in?uence Tad had on so many people, many of whom we don't know. That was one of the most amazing attributes of Tad, he touched the lives of countless people. To some of us he was ?rst and foremost a teacher, not in the formal sense, but in the quiet way he helped us learn without knowing that was what he was doing. There was never any ego in his ways of helping, he just let us know he cared and wanted to know more. Tad was a good listener, and as all good teachers, he was always learning too! Tad demonstrated how to live a good life by his actions everyday. Tad leaves behind his brother Ty, sisters Marcia and Patra, and all of their families; as well as a whole galaxy of friends and acquaintances, who have been forever changed by his gentle, kind heart and beautiful soul. We Love you Tad! If anyone wishes to make a contribution in Tad's honor here is some information to help. Given Tad's extraordinarily varied and numerous interests we would like to share a few for your consideration: *The American Cancer Society (colon cancer research) *The UCLA Colon Cancer Treatment Program (where he received such excellent care) *San Luis Rey Mission in Oceanside California (where Tad is buried) *Any youth art program *Iglesias Casa de Libertad* (Church where Tad taught English and learned Spanish.) Please feel free to make contributions of any type in Tad's name if you wish. * Address checks to Iglesias Casa de Libertad, Old Highway 92, Acworth Georgia, 30102 or to account number: 3318246836 at any Wells Fargo Bank.