Floyd T. Patterson

Floyd T. Patterson, Sr., 83, took the hand of our Lord Thursday morning, March 11, 2010 at his home in Gulfport, MS.
aÌ‚â‚Å“Patâ₝ was born on January 12, 1927, in Moselle, MS. He joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 and he would be the first to tell you he served for aÌ‚â‚Å“3 years, 3 months, 21 days, 14 hours and 17 minutesâ₝ during World War II, from 1944 to 1947. He served aboard the USS Belle Grove during various campaigns in the Pacific including the battles for Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
After his military service, and for the next 25 years, he was a general contractor and designer of steel buildings. He married the former Barbara Huffman of Waynesburg, PA on November 5, 1955. Pat and Barbara moved to Gulfport from Jackson after Hurricane Camille to help rebuild the coast. He designed and built several steel buildings in the Gulfport, Biloxi area.
In 1970, on a 30 by 30 foot lot in Gulfport, he and his wife established Green Thumb Nursery. Over the next forty years the business grew to become the largest retail nursery in Mississippi. Known for his expertise in horticulture, they say that Pat could grow a plant from a Popsicle stick. He was a member of the Southern NurserymenaÌ‚â‚â„¢s Association and the Mississippi Nurserymen and Landscape Association serving on the Board of Directors for 6 years and as President for 2 years.
Pat was an avid fisherman, always ready to go and he usually came home with a great fish story aÌ‚â‚"" and lots of fish. He fished all over the world, from the Artic Circle to Mexico and all parts in-between. One of his favorite activities was to take family and friends to the Chandeleur Islands and fish for aÌ‚â‚Å“specksâ₝.
Aside from fishing his second obsession was the New Orleans Saints. He endured them when they were the aÌ‚â‚ËœAintaÌ‚â‚â„¢s, then the TaintaÌ‚â‚â„¢s and ultimately rejoiced when they became the World Champion Saints. We were all thankful that he lived to see his beloved team win the Super Bowl and we know from his mouth to GodaÌ‚â‚â„¢s ear that he died a happy man.
He was a kind, gentle soul whose first love was his family. Unassuming, straightforward, and sincere, his word was his bond and a handshake his contract. His presence is still strong and will be felt forever by all those whom he loved and influenced.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara; his 2 daughters, Susan Patterson of Laurel, MS, and Beth Anne Gagliano and her husband John of Gulfport, MS; his 2 sons Floyd Thaxton Patterson, Jr., of Starkville, MS and his wife Jerry, and Allen W. Patterson of Vancleave, MS; his 3 brothers, Dan Patterson and his wife Elaine of Providence, MS, Cecil Patterson and his wife Alaina of Gulfport, MS, and Billy Paul Patterson of Moselle, MS; his 4 sisters, Beatrice Sanford and her husband J.L. of Moselle, MS, Doris Hereford of Metarie, LA, Vondell Fuller and her husband Dave of Hattiesburg, MS, and Ella Patterson-Web and her husband Darrel of Cottondale, AL; and 7 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pat was preceded in death by his parents Ras and Virdie Patterson of Moselle, MS, three brothers, Ras Winford (Winnie) Patterson and Carroll Patterson of Moselle, MS and Garland Patterson of Tampa, FL; two sisters, Racheal Pierce of Seminary, MS and Blanche Baylis of Meridian, MS, and his grandson Brooke Patterson of Starkville, MS.
Visitation will be at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport on Sunday, March 14, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held at Shelton Baptist Church in Moselle, MS, on Monday at 10:00 a.m. with funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Shelton Baptist Church Cemetery. The online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com.