LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which  distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming.  (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

State's Transportation Plan Gets Federal OK
28 Mar 2024 15:06

By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
    Federal officials on Wednesday approved most of Alaska’s four-y [ ... ]

New Funding Plan Ahead for Visit Sitka?
28 Mar 2024 15:02

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    At an hour-long work session with the Assembly Tuesda [ ... ]

Sitka 'Frankenstein' Puts Classic Tale in New Ligh...
28 Mar 2024 15:01

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
    The story behind a classic, though often misunderstoo [ ... ]

State May Los Millions Over Ed Dept. Missteps
28 Mar 2024 14:59

By CLAIRE STREMPLE
Alaska Beacon
    The state government risks losing millions of dollars in feder [ ... ]

Gov Signs Bill On Internet In State Schools
28 Mar 2024 14:57

By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
    Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Wednesday signed a bill that promise [ ... ]

Capitol Christmas Tree to Come from Tongass
28 Mar 2024 14:56

By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
    Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, known for its steep mountains [ ... ]

City League Games Thursday
28 Mar 2024 14:52

By Sentinel Staff
    Playing Wednesday in competitive division City League volleyball matches, Ca [ ... ]

March 28, 2024, Police Blotter
28 Mar 2024 14:50

Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
March 27
At 2:36 p.m. a dead  [ ... ]

March 28, 2024, Community Happenings
28 Mar 2024 14:48

This Week in Girls on the Run By Sitkans Against Family Violence
and The Pathways Coalition
During th [ ... ]

New RFP Sought For Managing PAC
27 Mar 2024 14:48

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
    The future of management and operations at the Perform [ ... ]

Seiners Get Second Day with 2 Areas to Fish
27 Mar 2024 14:46

By Sentinel Staff
    The Sitka Sound commercial herring sac roe fishery continued today with open [ ... ]

Braves Take Second in Last Minute Upset
27 Mar 2024 12:41

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
    After storming into the state 3A boys basketball brac [ ... ]

Tuesday City League Volleyball
27 Mar 2024 12:39

By Sentinel Staff
    The Queen Bees’ spotless season record ended Tuesday night with a 2-1 loss [ ... ]

Kodiak Alutiiq Museum Getting New Attention
27 Mar 2024 12:37

By SHIRLEY SNEVE
Indian Country Today
    A major renovation at an Alaska museum to attract tourist [ ... ]

House Hearing on Inmate Deaths Halted
27 Mar 2024 12:35

By CLAIRE STREMPLE
Alaska Beacon
    A presentation about a jump in the number of inmate deaths in  [ ... ]

Nominee to Bering Sea Council: Not a Trawler
27 Mar 2024 12:34

By NATHANIEL HERZ
Northern Journal
    Tribal and environmental advocates calling for a crackdown o [ ... ]

March 27, 2024, Police Blotter
27 Mar 2024 12:26

Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
March 26
At 2:10 p.m. a man e [ ... ]

March 27, 2024, Community Happenings
27 Mar 2024 12:25

Big Rigs Sought
For April 13
The 3 to 5 Preschool’s spring fundraiser and Big Rig event is happening [ ... ]

Reassessments Raise Tax Bills for Sitkans
26 Mar 2024 15:22

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    The city’s reassessment of taxable real estate, alo [ ... ]

Two Areas Opened in Herring Fishery Today
26 Mar 2024 15:21

By Sentinel Staff
The third opening in this year’s Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery was held Mon [ ... ]

Lady Wolves Rally to Take Fourth at State
26 Mar 2024 15:16

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
    Sitka High’s Lady Wolves bounced back from an openi [ ... ]

Edgecumbe Girls Close Out Season Up North
26 Mar 2024 14:58

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel ports Editor
    Competing in the state 3A basketball tournament in Anc [ ... ]

City League Monday
26 Mar 2024 14:55

By Sentinel Staff
    Playing in a competitive division City League volleyball game Monday evening [ ... ]

House Votes to Broaden Rules For Review Panel Memb...
26 Mar 2024 14:52

By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
    A bill that passed the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday  [ ... ]

Other Articles

Daily Sitka Sentinel

Kevin D. Patterson Dies; Lifelong Sitkan Was 55

Kevin Daniel Patterson

 

Kevin Daniel Patterson, a lifelong Sitkan, died here Sept. 23, due to complications of diabetes. He was 55.

He was born in Sitka June 12, 1966, the son of Jim and Josephine Patterson. He started fishing at a young age, going with his Uncle Herman Kitka aboard the Martha K as an in-board skiff man.

Kevin shared a lot of interesting stories, including one when he skippered a fishing boat from the Bering Sea to Seattle.  At that time of year, the waters were treacherous with extremely rough weather, and the boat was rocking and rolling and turning on its side at times.  His Aunt Irene had given Kevin a little red Bible that he carried in his shirt pocket, and the trip was one of those times he really hung on to the Bible.  

For a time Kevin worked for the Kensington Mine out of Juneau, working heavy equipment and smashing up large boulders.

Kevin was an artist in his own way.  He created a metal replica of an in-board skiff with all the bells and whistles for a fundraiser sponsored by the Elks Lodge for his brother J.R.’s annual Scholarship Memorial.

Kevin also enjoyed working with leather in an assortment of colors, and he created necklaces and bracelets with beads, shells and feathers.  He created his own ideas on canes and walking sticks.

Another surprising talent of Kevin’s was the ability to create a poem on the spur of the moment when given a word, place, or a thing.

Kevin is survived by his mother, Josephine Patterson; aunts Betty Goldsbury, Irene Vaden and Mildred Layton; uncle Charlie Daniels; cousins Ryker Goldsbury, Garin Goldsbury, Vienna Vaden, Renae Vaden-Mathson, and Curtis Nelson; and nephew Adam Frank.

Also surviving are many other cousins, nieces and nephews spread throughout the United States, including many in Alabama from his father’s side of the family.

Kevin was preceded in death by his brother James (J.R.) Patterson, in 1990, and his father, Jim Patterson.

When uncle Bob Layton shared the comforting words “Kevin is so happy to be joining his brother and father,” there was a surprising feeling of uplifted enlightenment.

“Thank you to many friends who took time to help Kevin,” his family said. “Thank you to SEARHC’s ER crew and medical staff for their patience and understanding.  Also a heartfelt thanks to the ambulance crew for their diligence, patience and kindness, and to the Fire Department and police staff for their kind and patient help.

“A special thanks to Kevin’s primary doctor, Dr. John Baciocco, for his unfailing patience, understanding and kindness. Thank you Pastor Stewart Pook for your support, prayers and checking on Kevin from time to time both at home and in the ER.”

Because of the COVID high risk rate in Sitka, Kevin’s memorial service will be delayed to a later date.

Honorary pallbearers are Kevin Stocker, Jeff Wright, Sandy Bergey, Ryker Goldsbury, Garin Goldsbury, Curtis Nelson, Adam Frank and Larry Garrity.

While his Aunt Betty was working on getting Kevin’s affairs in order, she came across this poem in his wallet, which appeared to have been carried there for years, she said. “Even amidst his problems he still believed.”

 

‘‘THE CROSS IN MY POCKET’’

 

I carry a cross in my pocket

A simple reminder to me

Of the fact that I am a Christian

No matter where I may be.

 

This little cross is not magic

Nor is it a good luck charm

It isn’t meant to protect me

From every physical harm.

 

It’s not for identification

For all the world to see

It’s simply an understanding

Between my Savior and me.

 

When I put my hand in my pocket

To bring out a coin or two

The cross is there to remind me

Of the price He paid for me.

 

It reminds me, too, to be thankful

For my blessings day by day

And to strive to serve Him better

In all that I do and say.

 

It’s also a daily reminder

Of the peace and comfort I share

With all who know my Master

And give themselves to His Care.

 

So, I carry a cross in my pocket

Reminding no one but me

That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life

If only I’ll let Him Be.

Login Form

 

20 YEARS AGO

March 2004

Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.

50 YEARS AGO

March 1974

Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.

Calendar

Local Events

Instagram

Daily Sitka Sentinel on Instagram!

Facebook

Daily Sitka Sentinel on Facebook!