Rodney Patterson

On September 13, 1971, in Lynwood, California, Rodney Glenn Patterson was born to the union of Leonard Carl Patterson II and Joyce Louise Patterson (Coston). He was the second son born to this union. Both of his parents preceded him in death.

Rodney was an avid sports player, playing baseball at Helen Keller Park and football for Hawthorne until he suffered a brain aneurysm at the age of 12. Rodney attended St. Michael’s Catholic school, Frank D. Parent Elementary, Orville Wright Jr. High and Westchester High School. He later obtained his GED and went on to attend trade school at Fresno City College. He also attended Sacramento City College where he completed his business courses. He worked in construction, security, and he was also an entrepreneur.

Rodney met and fell in love with Marah “Bay” Snyder in Sacramento, CA, they married three months later at Lake Tahoe, on June 16, 2001. He was a great family man who loved his family dearly. He enjoyed family gatherings. He loved to barbecue, hunt, fish, play spades, dominoes and shoot dice. He found much joy in working on his 86 Buick Regal and raising dogs. Rodney had special skills at gardening and often had his own garden. Rodney would acquire and take pride in many names in his life, but his favorite was Dad. He loved his kids “with a mad passion” as he would say. Rodney was a loyal friend, if he was with you, he was with you. He had a presence that emitted strength and seriousness. He was beloved and respected by those in his circle.

On February 12, 2023, with his family by his side, Rodney lost his hard battle with cancer and was called home. Rodney is survived by his wife Marah Patterson, his older brother Leonard Carl (Skipper) Patterson III, and his six children: David Alvarez, Drevon Fitzgerald, Saleena Higgins, Desmond Fitzgerald, Marleena Higgins and Dellshay Williams Patterson. He leaves his nephew Dante Carl Patterson (wife Shakenna), and great nieces and nephews: Taveon, DJ, Destinny, Destin, Jennices, Justtice, and Taylon. He also leaves and will be greatly missed by his cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and associates.

From Family

David Alvarez “He Is Gone”

You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile because he lived

You can close your eyes and pray he’ll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all that he’s left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him, or you can be full of the love you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember him only that he is gone, or you can cherish his memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back.

Or you can do what he’d want:

Smile, Open your eyes, Love and Go On

Love, David

Desmond Fitzgerald

We will not mourn the loss of my father but celebrate the life he lived. To me, he was a warrior, a protector and a family-oriented man. The justice system took many years away from us but the time we had will be forever cherished. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and that's as true as it gets. I have followed your footsteps throughout life but now it's time to follow my own path like you said. I promise to make you proud. I love you Dad!

“Have mercy upon me O God according to thy loving kindness: According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sins.” Psalm 51: 1-2

Your son, Desmond DeShaun AKA DezzyWeezy

Drevon Fitzgerald

I looked up to Rodney from an early age. I always admired how strong and straight forward he was. How disciplined he could be. There was never any beating around the bush with him. He was either all in or not. That was the type of man I always envisioned myself to be as I grew older. HE WAS THE ONLY FATHER I'VE EVER KNOWN. Anytime I needed advice or some kind of push to move forward in my life he always knew what to say or needed to get there. He would say, “Don’t let nothin or nobody get in the way of yo progress, keep leveling up." and I ALWAYS felt that. It hurts to know he's not here anymore, but he will never be forgotten...I will forever miss him.

Love you, Popz

Marche’ Patterson

The year is 1994, I’m at a backyard bar-b-que. We had been listening to this new group called Bone Thugs -N- Harmony. I noticed the music stop and saw my boy messing with the tape player. He put on this rap group I am familiar with but this has to be they new sh*t, cause I have never heard any of this before. I hear this dialog back and forth between these guys and I think to myself, what movie is this from. Is this a scene from an old school gangster movie I’ve slept on. I’m trying to figure this out. But where the music at? Hold on, this has to be a prison movie, cause they are talking about laying down people in the yard. Then I hear this auto tune “94 Revolution” and this beat drops. Ooowweeee, Hell yeah, this feeling that comes over me is so euphoric. This sh*t beatin’! Instantly, I’m loving this song. I sip the Hennessy that’s left in my cup as I watched everyone around me bob their head to this banger. A spirit moves through me and now I can visualize you crip walking even though, I’ve never seen you crip walk. Damn cousin, what they know about this? How the hell did they know. I hear the words, so natural and real, “I hit the loop juice, then pulls up in the duece”. I am transported to another level of this. I’m so wrapped up in this song that I don’t even notice the money on the domino table that I missed, whelp, too late for that. All I can picture now is you doing the 2-step. “Got the big S on my chest, so I’m kinda gunnin”. If that ain’t you. “But to my mama, I’m her real black superman." Even though I never heard this song before, I can’t wait to see you just to tell you I found your theme song. Still to this day, when I hear this song you will come to my mind. Cousin, you will always be my Black Superman.

Your baby cousin, Marché