Jim Patterson

Camden native Jim Patterson, 53, who was editor of the Craig Press in Craig, Colorado, died May 20 following a two-month struggle with aggressive pancreatic cancer. Born James Conrad Patterson to Jeanette McAllister Patterson and Daniel W. Patterson, he was a 1983 graduate of Camden Fairview High School, and a 2010 graduate of Arkansas State University with bachelors' degrees in biology and chemistry. Jim spent his career working in newspapers in Camden, El Dorado, Jonesboro, Paragould, and in Steamboat Springs and Craig, Colorado, as a reporter, editor and columnist. He was a writer, film director, actor, vocalist, youth group leader, taekwondo instructor, athlete, animal rescuer, philosopher, political uniter, goofball, lover of life and an unparallelled friend. Jim was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by a brother, Dan Patterson, of Little Rock, Arkansas; a sister, Helen (Chris) Aregood, of Camden; an uncle, John (Katsy) McAlister; niece, Mary Aregood; nephews, Donald Maxfield, John Aregood, and Noah, Micah and Eli Patterson; honorary brothers, Michael Armstrong, Brad McLelland and Eric Vaughan; and his two beloved cats, LJ and Pocket. Jim claimed as his family many more friends he made throughout his life, and he will live on in their stories and memories. Jim's life will be celebrated Saturday, June 1 at 11 a.m., preceded by a visitation at 10 a.m., at Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church in Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Jim's honor to your local animal shelter.