Enoch Patterson

Enoch L. Patterson, better known as Pat, passed away at age 93 in his Albuquerque apartment after a life well lived.

Pat was born in Sycamore, Kansas to Marton Lewis and Jennie (Spradling) Patterson, the youngest of three children. Marton managed a farm in the country and a general store in the nearby town of Independence. Pat's mother passed when he was 10 years old. His sister, Pauline, helped with his care.

Pat was not overly interested in the bucolic life of south-eastern Kansas. With the aide of a sympathetic teacher who was willing to 'adjust' Pat's age on an enlistment form, Pat joined the US Army at the age of 16! He was stationed in post WWII Japan with the Signal Corps as a telephone lineman. When the Korean War started, Pat's unit was transferred to South Korea and he served as a motor-messenger delivering messages to a ever-changing front line.

Pat returned to the US and was re-assigned to the Army Security Agency (ASA) and became a crypto repair technician. This job had Pat working around the Pacific in early 1960's Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Pat returned to the US and was stationed at Sandia Army Base in Albuquerque. In the summer of 1957, while visiting Santa Fe, he met his future wife, Mary G. Pena. Pat and Mary married that August. They soon moved to Fort Hood (Killeen, TX) where they welcomed the birth of their daughter Shirley Ann. From there they moved to Fort Monmouth (Asbury Park, NJ), Fort Sam Houston (San Antonio, TX), Clark Air Force Base (Luzon, Philippine Islands), an unaccompanied assignment at Camp Humphreys (South Korea), and finally Arlington Hall Station (Alexandria, VA) where he retired in 1968 with 20 years 15 days of service to his country.

Pat and Mary purchased a home in the North-East Heights in 1969 where he lived for over 50 years. During this time, Pat obtained technical training at what was then the Technical-Vocational Institute in Albuquerque. Using this education, Pat worked a variety of electronic production and service companies in the Albuquerque/Los Alamos area until his second retirement in the late 1980's.

Pat had many hobbies and pursuits. He enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing, reading, photography and he loved working on his home & lawn. In the 1990's Pat was able to use his spare time to enjoy his two grandsons. His wife Mary passed away in October 1999. After his wife's passing, Pat maintained an active social life and did a fair amount of travel including cruises to the Bahamas, Alaska, and Hawaii as well as enjoying the sights and scenery of his adopted home state.

Starting in late 2020, Pat suffered a series of health issues. Due to his declining health, Pat moved into an assisted living facility in June of 2021. Pat was able to maintain an active social life and really enjoyed visiting the local restaurants - especially the brew pubs! He passed quietly the day after Veteran's Day.

Pat is survived by his daughter, Shirley Theriot (husband David), grandson Robert Theriot (wife Jessica), grandson Andrew Theriot (wife Andrea Zsigmond), great grandson Brodie, and great grand daughter Lilah. Other surviving relatives include niece Yvonne Perez, nephew Vincent Martinez, grand niece Misty Wise.

Pat was able to maintain a good quality of life thanks to his wonderful health care team at Ambercare Hospice and the staff of Brookdale Assisted Living. A special Thank You to Tammy, Daniella, and Kendall.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, December 8, 2025, at FRENCH- Lomas at 10:00am with a Graveside Service to follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, hug your family members and have a drink to toast Pat. Go Army!