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Joseph Nelson Pattison (AKA Joe, son, brother, dad, grandpa, uncle, and Mr. Pattison) was a godly man who lived his faith in Jesus through everything he did. Born July 21st, 1956, in Landstuhl, Germany, he was greeted at heaven’s doors on March 12th, 2024. Along with Mom (Mary Lou Pattison), sister Kathy (Tom Fuller), brother Bill (Betty Pattison), and predeceased Dad (Bill Pattison, Sr), he was an AF Brat who eventually called New Mexico “Home.” Joe graduated from AHS in 1974 and promptly married the love of his life and very best friend, Marsha (Ellison). Joe and Marsha would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this August.
His nomadic life continued as they first attended UNM but graduating from NMSU and becoming educators. Joe taught a variety of classes at Holloman Middle School to include one of his favorite classes: woodworking. Joe also coached basketball, track, and Olympics of the Mind. Marsha loved teaching Home Ec classes and sponsored the AHS Future Homemakers of America (FHA) Club winning numerous state awards. Many Tiger football players enrolled in Home Ec thinking it might be an “easy” class; she gently showed them otherwise. The team enjoyed healthy snacks before practice!
Joe and Marsha earned master’s degrees in educational administration. Traveling back and forth between Alamogordo and NMSU/Las Cruces (when it was a 2-lane highway) along with a couple of other characters, such as Ned Cline, required serious commitment. They had stories to tell!
Adventure continued as they welcomed their son, Joseph Perry Pattison. Joey was the light and joy in their lives. The two “boys” developed quite an array of shenanigans, and Marsha’s hands were very full.
Joe left teaching to become the Director of the Adult Orientation Center in Alamogordo with the NM Commission for the Blind. In addition to being the director, he taught woodworking with power tools providing clients incredible opportunities to build confidence. Marsha continued her love for teaching cooking and homemaking skills at the Center. The family moved to Anchorage to take on Adult Orientation for the entire state of Alaska. In addition to being skillful teachers, Joe and Marsha were a team in providing exceptional management of services in extreme conditions. Of course, shenanigans and pranks continued to keep things lively, often including the adult clients with whom they lived.
Upon graduation from high school in Anchorage, Joey went to Idaho to attend college. Joe and Marsha followed the light of their lives moving to Minnesota and continuing their work with the Commission for the Blind. The family’s foundation was shattered with the untimely passing of Joey. Their lives were never the same. Thankfully, Joey blessed Joe and Marsha with three amazingly gifted and talented grandchildren: Kiarra, Carol, and Joey.
Joe and Marsha returned to Alamogordo for retirement. They enjoyed both renewed and new friendships, such as their extended family at New Beginnings Church, and Pastor David Holycross. Joe loved reading history, studying religion, and teaching. At one time he studied Hebrew. For much of his adult life Joe faced significant health issues including such diagnoses as MS, Parkinson’s, and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). Joe loved his wife, grandchildren, family, and friends to the very end. “He never met a stranger” is a truism for Joe. Despite daily pain and challenges, he always showed care for others.
The family is deeply grateful for the amazing TLC provided by the many Personal Care Attendants and friends, and all who assisted in making his life more bearable. To honor Joe’s life, please share a smile, an encouraging word, a helping hand; make someone’s life a little better. A celebration of Joe’s life is scheduled for Monday, March 18th at 5 PM to be held at New Beginnings Church of the Nazarene (817 Scenic Dr). “Well done, you good and faithful servant! ... Come on in and share my happiness!” ~ Matthew 25:21
The Pattison family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home.
To sign the online register book, please visit www.alamogordofuneralhome.org
