Obituary of Leonard Frank Oliver Patterson

Leonard was born to Miller and Olivia Patterson on January 14, 1942 in Grande Prairie, Alberta. He was predeceased by his Mother and Father, Brother Aubrey, and Grandson Russel Leonard leaves his wife Connie, Son Shane (wife Colleen, Grandsons Brandon and Richard) Daughter Chante' (Granddaughters Brittany, Kori and Grandson Shane) He will also be greatly missed by his brothers Harley, Jim, Art, Jack, Donald, Sister Carol and their families..As well as many friends. Leonard went from grades 1 through 12 in Hythe, AlbertaLeonard was an excellent student and went through school on the honor roll. Leonard had the nick name of "Boss" that stayed with him over the years. At 5 years old Leonard was watching Grandpa Jensen shingling the roof of the Moochagan (dance hall) at Patterson's Stampede Grounds. Leonard noticed that the shingles were not in the right order and suggested that Mr. Jensen should re set the row. Leonard was right and from that day on he was fondly known as "Boss". The boys grew up knowing Miller demanded a good work ethic. A big barn on the edge of town was where you could find the boys doing chores before and after school. Leonard clerked his first farm auction sale at age 13 and his Dad told him when he balanced the sale first try. "I knew you could do that". Leonard's work ethic and responsibility to a job were trait's that stayed with him all his life. Leonard played hockey with the Senior Team (HYTHE MUSTANGS) at age 16 -as a defensemen wearing number "18". He played Junior Provincial Hockey with Grande Prairie. Leonard was an avid softball player in the summer. Sports were very much encouraged in the Patterson household. After graduation Leonard worked as a Land Surveyor during the building of the Highway from the BC Border and for Capital Motors in Pouce Coupe. 1960 Leonard made the big move to Dawson Creek and started working for his Dad at the Auction Market. Joining the softball team NorGas Jets along with his friends Harold & Arnie Kjemhus, Jim Reid, and Ross Robertson. Leonard played short stop and his ball coach from Hythe, Fraser McLeod said Leonard was the best bunter in the Peace. In April of 1961 Leonard and Connie met at the Auction Market. The dating began with Connie spending her evenings during the summer taking in Leonard's ball games and winter hockey games in Hythe. The fall of 1961 Leonard and Art went off to Auction School in Decateur, Indiana. The same Auction School their Dad had graduated from. By Christmas the boys were home and began their apprenticeship with Dad at Patterson's Auction Mart. May 19, 1962 - Leonard and Connie took their vows and began married life, after a big family wedding and a trip to the Seattle Worlds fair for their honeymoon. Connie worked at the bank and part time at the Auction Mart for sale days. Shane came into the world following a Thursday cattle sale and a new auctioneer was born. Chante' came next, three years later again on a Friday following the Thursday cattle sale. By this time Leonard was managing the Auction Mart and auctioneering. Life was busy with children and the building of a business. . The Family business included a farm in Hythe, ranch in Goodfare, feedlot in Rio Grande, Auction Mart in Dawson Creek and Quesnel, farm, equipment and car sales and a trucking business (hauling cattle and horses). Leonard started coaching minor hockey in January 1963 along with Arnie Kjemhus as manager for the Dawson Creek Bantam Rep team. Coaching from 1963-1979, Leonard coached Pee Wee House, Pee Wee Rep, Bantam and Midget also taking a position on the Board of Directors and became Vice President of Dawson Creek Minor Hockey. Leonard was a strong believer in Tournament play for skater development and helped Connie to organize Mother's Auxiliary, to look after billeting and banquets for all hockey tournaments. Leonard and his Pee Wee Rep. hockey team were invited to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1974 for a 4 day tournament. Brother Harley coached the Pee Wee Rep team in Colorado who were hosting the event. On a cold day in January -40 below we held an auction sale to raise funds for the teams travel at Patterson's Auction Mart. Enough money was raised that night to cover the kid's trip with some left over to start the first Dawson Creek Minor Hockey travel fund; over the next 8 years Leonard continued to raise funds by Auction sales for the travel fund. Figure skating was a part of the Leonard Patterson household when Shane joined the 'Learn to Skate Program' in 1967. Followed by Chante' at three years old skating with the club until graduation. In the lean years after the loss of our arena the club had to rebuild. Leonard conducted an annual auction sale for the club and was known to cover some of the bills when funds were not available elsewhere. Leonard played a huge role in shaping the Cattle Industry in the BC Peace River area. Along with his Dad -Miller starting the first cattle finance program in BC. Leonard worked to organize Pedigree Bull Sales at Patterson's Auction Mart, first one being the BC Peace River All Breed Bull Sale. Next the introduction of Charolais Bulls to the Peace. Over the years Patterson's Auction Mart Ltd became the venue for Angus, Hereford, Limousin, Charolais, and Simmental Bull Sales. The family was very much involved in 4H Achievement days and yearly 4H steer auction sales, for the North and South Peace and Hythe/Valhalla Clubs. As the business grew Art and Leonard bought out their Dad's shares in the Auction Mart. Offering weekly and bi weekly livestock sales, one and two day horse sale, farm sales, sheep and hogs, sold farm machinery, brought in liner loads of stock salt, baler twine, barb wire, steel gates and panels. Selling their farm and ranch in Alberta and the Auction Mart in Quesnel was a big change and enabled the boys to concentrate on their Dawson Creek business. Working together every day, volunteering with their children's sports, Leonard and Connie came home at night to another world the family farm, Mile 4.5 on the Alaska Hwy for some 25 years. This is where their best years were spent, raising Registered Percheron draft horses, a cow herd, feeder cattle, growing hay and oats for their animals. Showing horses with Shane and Chante' and of course following hockey and figure skating. In 1995 Art and Leonard sold the Auction Mart. Leonard retired as Supervisor, for South Peace Feeder Co-op after 25 years. Semi retiring to their ranch in North Rolla, enjoying his cow herd, North Rolla neighbors and working for Vold Jones Vold Auction Co. They purchased the kid's "Pub" and found out they were both farmers and kept farmers hours which did not fit into the hours needed to make a pub work, so the "Pup" moved on. Leonard & Connie sold the home farm at Mile 4.5 to Shane, Colleen & the boys, moved into town still keeping the North Rolla ranch, life became much simpler. Leonard volunteered to be part of the Dawson Creek Exhibition Auction Mart Committee. The Committee's task was getting the property up and running for the first livestock sale on September 27, 2007. Mission accomplished and it was now time for the Committee to work on funding to build a new sales pavilion. This was realized in December 2009 with ground breaking for the new building January 4, 2010. One of the brightest days for Leonard was the first livestock sale in the new building on May 13, 2010. Bringing modern marketing opportunities, for all livestock producers in the BC/Alberta Peace. Leonard was diagnosed with lung cancer in April 2009. Leonard believed you played the hand you were dealt in this life and never give up. One of his famous quotes was "life is like a shift in hockey.while on the ice keep your feet moving". That is exactly how Leonard addressed his fight with cancer. He appreciated his family whom were members of his support "Team". To his wife Connie - Leonard was her loving husband, father of their children, best friend and business partner. To Shane, Colleen, Chante, he was their Dad and Pappa to Richard, Brandon, Shane, Brittany and Kori. Leonard believed in each one, always wanting the best for them, encouraging and loving them. Enjoyed beating them at cards, making kraft dinner, taking trips, talking hockey and cows. To his brothers and sister and families, Leonard's home was where you came for special family events and good advice. Leonard had many accomplishments in his life the following are just a few. The one he was the proudest of was his family. Awards & Plaques 1961 Graduate of Reppert School of Auctioneer & Pedigree study Directors of Dawson Creek Exhibition Association for 16 years and Honorary Member Director of Livestock Markets Association of Canada Director and founding member of Mountain Auction Markets Association of BC Hockey Coach - Dawson Creek Minor Hockey for 12 years and Vice President - term Livestock Supervisor and founding member for South Peace Feeder Co-op -25yrs Livestock Supervisor and founding member for North Peace Feeder Co-op - 5yrs Winner of the South Peace River Stockmen's Award - for "Service to the Livestock Industry" Recognition of his Contribution to the Auction Industry in the Peace Country - Presented from the Alberta Auctioneers Association. 2002 Recognition for his 40 years as a Member and Auctioneer of the Auctioneers' Association of Alberta. 2007 Recognition for the Patterson Family in their service as members of the BC Auctioneers Association 2009 Recognition from the North Peace Feeder & Bred Heifer Co-op We know it was your time, But for those of us left behind we will remember you and try not to cry. We know that God has called you home and even though are hearts are broken, we know you will walk beside each of us and help us find our way. A memorial service was held on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at The Alliance Church, Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Marilyn Carroll officiated with cremation following the service. The funeral precession was led by Leonard's son Shane with his horse team and wagon, for Leonard's last ride. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home and Crematorium