Warren Eugene Patt

Warren Eugene Patt of St. James, Mo. passed away on November 30, 2017 at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James. He was 94 years, 11 months and 15 days of age.

Warren Patt, (Gene) was born January 15, 1923 in Desloge Missouri, son of Christian and Nancy Ann Patt. Gene was the youngest of five boys. Nancy passed away when Gene was only 4 years old. He was raised by his aunts and uncles who treated him as their own child.

He grew up in Desloge and graduated from Flatt River high school in 1942. He worked nights during two years of high school at the Flatt River National Hotel for $3.50 per week. He used this money to help his family. He occasionally fell asleep in class after working the night before. His principal at the time doubled as a teacher. The principle was known for being a strict man but he never punished Gene for falling asleep in class. He knew what Gene was doing and why. Gene knew how fortunate he was to have a job during the depression.

Gene entered the navy after high school. He chose to go from reserve to active duty. He served as a quarter master on the mine sweeper the USS Notable AM 267. He served his country during World War II mainly in the Pacific Ocean. He told of a time when a kamikaze plane got close enough to the Notable for Gene to actually see the pilot before the plane was shot down. He served for 3 ½ years till age 22. After his service with the Navy he was called back up and served as military police in the St. Louis area during the Korean War. Gene met Alice I. Oxendine in St. Louis Missouri and was united in marriage in 1947. Alice worked in a factory in the St. Louis area.

Gene went on to work for the United States Geological Services in Rolla when he and Alice moved to St. James. Alice went to work in St. James at the shoe factory. They made their home in St. James across from the golf course. He retired from the Rolla USGS in 1972.

Gene was an avid hunter, trapper, softball player and fisherman. When he and the guys would return from a hunting trip, Alice would go to work cleaning out the camper and getting it ready for the next big hunt. He enjoyed cutting wood and continued to heat his home with wood until he was in his late 80’s.

Alice passed away December 5, 1988 after struggling with colon cancer. They were married 41 years. Gene and Alice were never able to have children of their own.

In his later years he enjoyed volunteering at PCRMC on thursdays making popcorn. He spent most days visiting his friends. He would breeze in for 15 minutes or sit and talk as long as they wanted to.

He was a member of the Masonic lodge for over fifty years. As a member of the Masonic lodge, Gene participated in countless funerals honoring his lodge brothers.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Roy, Ray, Paul and James, wife Alice and many, many dear friends.

Surviving family includes great nephew Larry Patt and fiancé Ingrid Garcia of St. James, Missouri, Niece Linda Covilli, Nephew Donald Patt of St. Louis, Missouri and adopted family Mike, Terrill, Shelby and Ethan Emmett of Rolla.

Gene will be sadly missed by his many, many friends.

Visitation for Warren Patt will be conducted on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo. From 6 – 8 PM.

Masonic Services will be conducted at 7 P.M. on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo.

Funeral Service will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo. with Michael Summer officiating.

Final resting place will be St.James Cemetary.

Pallbearers will be Ethan Emmett, Justyn Moreland and Gage Graen along with members of the Masonic Lodge.

Burial with full Military Honors will be in the St. James Cemetery in St. James, Mo.

All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo.

 Service Information