James Barkley Patterson, 81, died Thursday, July 9, 2015 at Ashton Court, Liberty, MO, as a result of a fall off a ladder on an apple tree last October 26. 

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Diane Cooper Patterson. Also surviving him are his daughter, Tori Hisserich-Patterson (Helmi) of Los Angeles, CA and her daughter, Madeline Tess Hisserich-Patterson; and his son, James Blake Patterson of Austin, TX. A sister, Julia Coleman Phillips (Richard), of Panama City, FL, and a sister, Patricia Patterson, of New Bern, NC, also survive. 

Jim was born in Philadelphia, PA, to James O. Patterson and Florence Elizabeth (Bess) Barkley Patterson on February 14, 1934. Three and a half months later, his father died, and the family moved back to Liberty, MO, where Jim grew up and attended Liberty Public Schools. The day after graduation, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. Upon completion of his term of service, he moved to Los Angeles, CA, where he attended barber college and worked at the General Motors Assembly Plant in Van Nuys for over thirty four years. His ultimate choice for retirement was Liberty and he has lived here since then. 

A devoted member of Liberty Christian Church, he was a longtime member of the Adult Bible Class and was very interested in outreach activities of the church, willingly giving of his time and talent to church and community needs. 

A celebration of Jim’s life will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 20 at Liberty Christian Church with visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Liberty Christian Church