Pat Patterson

In 1986, a frightened, disabled man phoned IHNM with an unusual request. He wanted someone to watch his house while he went to the doctor. Paranoia was just one of the many personal problems of this reclusive man. A friendship began, and it continued until October 9, 1994, when Pat Patterson passed away at his home. Dozens of individuals had been involved in bringing a little joy into his life. 

A group of people from Moore, Oklahoma, put a new roof on his home several years ago. Pat Dannemiller who lived many miles away took him gifts, special foods, and phoned him, and sent notes, just to give him a connection to the outside world. 

Two people from Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene painted his house, and put in two new windows.  

Later, Abundance Shared Through Christ bought Pat a new lawn mower, and months later when his health deteriorated, they paid someone to mow his lawn. . A man from Our Lord's Community Church took a TV to Pat. A retired nurse bought groceries and delivered them. A woman who first called us for assistance herself, later begin writing him encouraging notes. Several people remembered his birthday. Margaret Stribling once bought him a lemon pie, his favorite. He was a very frugal shopper. Once I asked what special food he liked. When he told me canned shrimp, I bought three cans for him. 

When Pat died, there was no one "to claim the body." So the state paid Temple Funeral Home for a basic burial service. I had the privilege of leading six other people in a final tribute to Pat. There were no relatives, only those of us God had brought into Pat's life. One of the others said, "Pat helped me understand how to set boundaries - how to appropriately respond to a desperately needy person." 

There are not many individuals with whom IHNM continued for such a long time. There was never any doubt, however, that we should continue the ministry to this frail, mentally disturbed man. 
A Christian Psychiatrist who treated him once told me later, "Dee, Pat  

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