Clarence Patterson Jr. (96) passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Clarence was born on March 23, 1925 in Weiser, Idaho to Clarence Patterson and Verna Butler Patterson. He was affectionately called Junior by his family. Clarence grew up in Midvale and Caldwell, Idaho, before finally settling in Meridian. His father passed away when Clarence was 13 years old. It was during the Great Depression and he felt a strong obligation to help his mother as much as he could. He was the oldest of four children. One of whom passed away in infancy. During World War II he served in the Navy in the Pacific on a transport ship. Picking up troops and dropping them off. After coming back from the war he graduated from Nampa High School. He attended three years of agricultural training through the GI Bill and then pursued a lifelong profession of farming. He had many jobs and earned a living in other employment but, to him, his profession was always farming. At the age of 38, Clarence was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Even though he had pioneer heritage, he had not grown up in the Church but was influenced by other Church members in his extended family. He said that when he was baptized he felt overwhelmed by the power of the Spirit, and felt the confirmation that the Church was true. On July 5, 1968 he married Sharon Smith in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. After adopting Sharon's daughter Letia they welcomed three more daughters and two sons. The family settled in the Meridian area and lived most of their married life on five acres in northwest Meridian. As a father he showed his children the importance of service. Clarence was ministering before it was called ministering. He took his calling of being a home teacher seriously. He visited family members and neighbors, helping them with irrigation and anything else they needed. Clarence had a love of tractors and other farm machinery. He still owned the original tractor that he bought after World War II. He had a fondness for cats, especially Manx, and always had at least one. He loved to take pictures and made films of each Christmas morning with his 8mm Super Eight camera. He was always social and outgoing and never met a stranger. He loved to tell stories and to have someone new he could tell his stories to. He loved to play pranks-which usually involved planting rubber spiders and rats in unexpected places. The 4th of July was one of his favorite holidays. He loved fireworks. The bigger and louder, the better. He was very handy and could fix just about anything. He loved building and working with wood. His projects included a desk, a side table, and a lamp. Clarence also built two homes during his lifetime. Clarence is survived by his wife Sharon of Meridian, his brother Eugene Patterson (MaryLou) of Redmond, OR, and his sister Elinor Ommen of Fair Oaks, CA. His six children include Letia Anderson of Boise, Melissa Roylance (Jason) of Star, Mike Patterson (Kellie) of Meridian, Robyn Patterson of Meridian, Eric Patterson of Boise, and Lesley Durfee (Cameron) of Meridian along with 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandsons. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Wilford, his brother-in-law Carl Ommen, and a grandson Adam James Anderson. Funeral services are under the direction of Zeyer Funeral Chapel. The family thanks 1st Choice Hospice for their loving and supportive care. A ZOOM link has been provided for family and friends who are unable to attend the service. ZOOM Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83802852052#success
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