David Patterson

David Patterson, 75, of Canyon died Friday, November 19, 2010.

Services were held at 10 a.m. Monday in First United Methodist Church in Canyon with the Rev. John McClean officiating. Burial was in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Arrangements were by Brooks Funeral Directors.

David Patterson was born July 29, 1935, in Doyle, Okla., to John and Clara Burton Patterson. He was a graduate of Groom High School and then graduated from West Texas State University.

He completed his graduate work at Oklahoma University and did additional graduate work at Texas A&M University. He married Jackie Estlack on November 11, 1956, in Clarendon. He taught school in Hereford from 1960 to 1964 and was a professor of Mathematics at WTSU for 31 years, retiring in 1995.

David was a veteran of the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He loved antique cars, bluegrass and country music and enjoyed traveling.

He was the founder of Panhandle Council of Car Clubs and was a member of Amarillo Antique Auto Club, Early V-8 Ford Club, Studebaker Club, Porsche Club and First United Methodist Church.

He founded the Make-A-Wish Car Show in Amarillo which has been held annually for 27 years now and has raised $2 million for the Children’s Make-A-Wish Foundation.He will be remembered for his great sense of humor.

Survivors include his wife, Jackie; a daughter, Marcella Cropper and husband Chris of Fort Worth; a grandson, James Wilson, of Fort Worth; two sisters, Shirley Sustaire and husband T.C., and Charlotte Aldy and husband Roy, all of Groom; his mother-in-law, Ruby Estlack of Clarendon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorials to Meals on Wheels, 2616 13th Ave., Canyon, TX 79015; Make-A-Wish Foundation, 411 S. Fillmore St., Amarillo, TX 79101; High Plains Food Bank, 815 Ross St., Amarillo, TX 79102; or a favorite charity.