Ralph Hammett "Pat" Patterson loved his family, serving his community and making people laugh. He was often found cooking delicious meals for people he cared about, driving around town with his wife in his beloved Jeepster or spending the day fly fishing. When he got a twinkle in his eye, everyone in the room knew that a joke (often off-color) was about to come out of his mouth.

Patterson, of DeLand, Florida, passed away peacefully after a 2 ½ year battle with pancreatic cancer on September 21, 2026 at the age of 77. He was born in West Palm Beach, Florida to Ralph and Lola Patterson.

Pat served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1973. He attended Florida Atlantic University, earning a B.A. in education in 1976 and then taught elementary school from 1976 to 1978. He earned a Master of Education degree in 1978. He then began his 47-year career as an insurance agent, where he turned many of his clients into lifelong friends and won numerous awards as a top agent.

In 1995, Pat began his lifelong dream of being a public servant. He was a member of the Volusia County Council from 1995 to 1998, serving as Vice Chair in 1996 and chair in 1997.

Pat was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in November 1998 for a two-year term then returned to the Florida House from 2002 to 2010. He then closed out his political career where he began by serving on the Volusia County Council from 2012–18. Throughout his life, Pat served on numerous boards of directors and organizations, including AdventHealth Fish Memorial and the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties.

Pat was also involved in the passage of numerous significant laws. He worked for years to allow homeschoolers to participate in sports and extracurricular activities, which paved the way for the “Tim Tebow Act.” Pat was also proud of creating the “In God We Trust” motor vehicle tag. He also played a role in the expansion of the I-4 bridge over the St. Johns River, which made travel to Orlando much safer for Volusia County residents.

Pat’s faith was also an important part of his life, and he served as an elder at Westminster By-The-Sea Presbyterian Church in Daytona Beach Shores. In recent years, he and Anne became members of First Presbyterian Church in DeLand, Florida.

Family was the center of his life. He leaves behind his loving wife of 40 years, Anne; four children, Andy Patterson, Dorian (Mark) Nygard, Denise (James Selph) Goforth, and Jennifer (Trent) Gregory; his treasured grandchildren, Allie (Kyle) Mosher, Abbie Newbern, Cole Newbern, Joslyn Patterson, Drew Patterson, Zachary Nygard, Zoe Nygard, Liam Selph, Alex Selph, Laurel Gregory, and Trevor Gregory; and his precious great-grandchildren, Finley and Emerson Mosher.

He is also lovingly remembered by his sisters, Leslie Duncan, Michele (Bill) Schmidt, and Paula (Mike) Ingersoll, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were enriched by his love, wisdom, and friendship.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Lola Patterson and Ralph Patterson, and his brothers, Michael Patterson and Philip Patterson. We find comfort knowing he is now reunited with those he loved and has been welcomed home to Heaven.

His family invites you to his Celebration of Life service beginning at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church in DeLand, Florida with a reception to follow at the same location. The family asks you to bring your favorite memories of Pat to the celebration to help us share the story of his life.

Because Pat was passionate about kids and learning, in lieu of flowers the family suggests donating to the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties, here: https://www.elcfv.org .