Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
NameDr. James Benson PATTERSON Sr. 
3, Essie Mae Cox Patterson,261, James Benson Patterson, Sr., MD., Phd.
3, Essie Mae Cox Patterson,261, James Benson Patterson, Sr., MD., Phd.DeathApr 27, 2025261, James Benson Patterson, Sr., MD., Phd.
FlagsUS Army
FatherWalter Everett PATTERSON (1914-1970)
MotherEssie Mae COX (1922-2001)
Obituary Online notes for Dr. James Benson PATTERSON Sr.
4/28/2025
James Benson Patterson, Sr., MD., Phd.
James Benson Patterson, Sr., MD., Phd. died peacefully Sunday, April 27, 2025.
Jim was a man of excellence, a dedicated and skilled dermatologic surgeon and clinician, who loved his work and his 28 years of private practice at Alamance Dermatology. He counted among his friends the many residents and colleagues that he had the pleasure of working beside for 15 years as clinical professor of the skin surgery clinic at the University of Chapel Hill. He remained grateful to all his patients who entrusted him with their care.
Jim proudly served in the 101st Airborne Division of the US Army before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology and minor in chemistry from Appalachian State University. He earned his PHD in molecular biology with a minor in biochemistry at the University of Chapel Hill, serving as a post-doctoral fellow at the National Institute of Health researching mutagenesis and somatic cell genetics. From there, he received his MD from the University of Chapel Hill specializing in Dermatology. His accolades and publications are to many to mention.
Jim was a proficient salt and freshwater angler. His love of fly fishing provided him with many treasured adventures with friends and family. He was also a fervent bibliophile and discerning wine connoisseur, who cherished the countless memories borne from those passions. Jim never lost the desire to explore and learn, whenever possible, from scuba diving during his summers of research at the Bermuda Science Research Center, to traveling abroad, for work and for pleasure, to studying rock formations with the NC Geology Society.
He spent much of his retirement alongside the North Toe River in the southern Appalachian Mountains with his wife, where he endlessly indulged his love of reading, while listening to the sounds of the river and observing local wildlife.
His service to the community, and his legacy of dedication, and compassion will continue to inspire those who were fortunate to have known him.
Jim is survived by his wife Sheila, and children, Angela, Ryan and Evan McClure, his daughter in law, Julie (Rusty) Litten, and his granddaughters, Jessica (Justin) Nelson, and Logan Litten. He is also survived by his sisters, Sandra Patterson , Susan(Wayne) Ellzey, and Sylvia (Steve) Brown, and his brothers, Larry (Beverly) Patterson and Ronnie Patterson .
He was preceded in death by his parents Walter Everette and Essie Mae Cox Patterson, his brothers Donnie Patterson and Garland Patterson, and by his son, James Benson Patterson, Jr.
Thank you to all who participated in his care and provided comfort in our darkest days.
In lieu of flowers please consider honorarium’s to: MountainStrong Recovery & Resilience Fund at **https://mountaintrue.org/mountainstrong/** https://give.michaeljfox.org/give
There will be a Private Family Burial. 261, James Benson Patterson, Sr., MD., Phd.
James Benson Patterson, Sr., MD., Phd.
James Benson Patterson, Sr., MD., Phd. died peacefully Sunday, April 27, 2025.
Jim was a man of excellence, a dedicated and skilled dermatologic surgeon and clinician, who loved his work and his 28 years of private practice at Alamance Dermatology. He counted among his friends the many residents and colleagues that he had the pleasure of working beside for 15 years as clinical professor of the skin surgery clinic at the University of Chapel Hill. He remained grateful to all his patients who entrusted him with their care.
Jim proudly served in the 101st Airborne Division of the US Army before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology and minor in chemistry from Appalachian State University. He earned his PHD in molecular biology with a minor in biochemistry at the University of Chapel Hill, serving as a post-doctoral fellow at the National Institute of Health researching mutagenesis and somatic cell genetics. From there, he received his MD from the University of Chapel Hill specializing in Dermatology. His accolades and publications are to many to mention.
Jim was a proficient salt and freshwater angler. His love of fly fishing provided him with many treasured adventures with friends and family. He was also a fervent bibliophile and discerning wine connoisseur, who cherished the countless memories borne from those passions. Jim never lost the desire to explore and learn, whenever possible, from scuba diving during his summers of research at the Bermuda Science Research Center, to traveling abroad, for work and for pleasure, to studying rock formations with the NC Geology Society.
He spent much of his retirement alongside the North Toe River in the southern Appalachian Mountains with his wife, where he endlessly indulged his love of reading, while listening to the sounds of the river and observing local wildlife.
His service to the community, and his legacy of dedication, and compassion will continue to inspire those who were fortunate to have known him.
Jim is survived by his wife Sheila, and children, Angela, Ryan and Evan McClure, his daughter in law, Julie (Rusty) Litten, and his granddaughters, Jessica (Justin) Nelson, and Logan Litten. He is also survived by his sisters, Sandra Patterson , Susan(Wayne) Ellzey, and Sylvia (Steve) Brown, and his brothers, Larry (Beverly) Patterson and Ronnie Patterson .
He was preceded in death by his parents Walter Everette and Essie Mae Cox Patterson, his brothers Donnie Patterson and Garland Patterson, and by his son, James Benson Patterson, Jr.
Thank you to all who participated in his care and provided comfort in our darkest days.
In lieu of flowers please consider honorarium’s to: MountainStrong Recovery & Resilience Fund at **https://mountaintrue.org/mountainstrong/** https://give.michaeljfox.org/give
There will be a Private Family Burial. 261, James Benson Patterson, Sr., MD., Phd.