Eddie Patterson, Jr.

Whether you knew him as…

Eddie, Dad, Father, Pops, Big Ed, Junior, Uncle, Grandpa or Pawpaw….

Eddie Patterson, Jr. will be remembered as a man whose presence was as large as his stature.  A man with a voice that could brighten up or quiet down just about any room.  A man that was a father, father figure or role model to almost everyone who was privileged enough to get to know him.

Eddie’s passionate love of life, and his genuine heart of gold was felt by anyone who had the honor of meeting him, and that spirit will live on forever.  Eddie succumbed to his battle with multiple illnesses on Wednesday the 31st of August 2022 at 1:54am at the age of 73, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

Born on July 2, 1949, to the late Eddie Patterson, Sr. and Earnestine Walker Patterson in Gethsemane, Arkansas.  Junior attended Wabbaseka High School (currently J.S. Walker High School).  A 1967 graduate, this is where he would develop his love of athletics.  Junior played many sports, but excelled in football, earning a scholarship to attend the University of Arkansas AM&N (currently the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, UAPB).  There is where he would become a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.  His dedication and hard work on the football field, led him to the honor of being inducted into the UAPB Sports Hall of Fame (c/o 2022).  On this campus, he was given the nickname Ready Roll, being that he was always ready to roll with whatever the day would bring.  This would also be the place where he would meet the love of his life…Easter.

After graduation, Eddie and Easter moved West, married, and began to start a family.  All while he continued to pursue his dream of playing professional football.  After a brief period as a member of the Oakland Raiders, the two settled in Las Vegas, where Big Ed began a career in Hotel and Restaurant Management.  His dream of playing professional football would be fulfilled as a member of the Las Vegas Casinos, a semi-professional football team based in Las Vegas.

A leader in all aspects of his life, Big Ed worked his way up the ladder from a Casino Porter to Executive Housekeeper at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino.  Continuing his journey as an Executive Housekeeper at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.  Eddie’s desire to explore a career that would allow him to use his physical abilities and his ingenuity, as well as his leadership skills led him to the IBEW Electrical Workers Union, where he also worked his way up to becoming a Heavy Machine Operator, until retirement.

Eddie is predeceased by his parents; grandmother, Ella Smith Walker; sisters Icyreen and Eddie Mae; brothers Van, Tommy, Bobby and Roosevelt; son Jamar Hickman.

Eddie is survived by his wife, Easter Patterson; daughter Kenya Patterson-Osborne; sons Eddie Patterson, III and Devin Patterson (Alyssa) all of Las Vegas; sisters Gertrude Adway and Joan James (John) all of Pine Bluff; brothers Roy Seals (Edna), Henry Patterson (Bunny); one uncle, James Walker Sr.; Yolanda Patterson; Brandy Watkins; 15 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren, and dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Eddie Patterson will surely be missed by all who knew him.  Our hope is that you keep the lasting images of him alive.  Whether it was just spending time with him or him cooking on the grill to draw a crowd, one this is for certain, it was always all about FAMILY.

VISITATION will be Wednesday, September 14, 2022 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm with SERVICE to follow at 1:00pm, all at Second Baptist Church, 500 Madison Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89106.  Interment will follow at Davis Memorial Park, 6200 S. Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119.