Pattillo Thornally Ancestors: James Edward "Ed" Pattillo 1913 - 1990 My Father

Ed and Lottie on one of their two trips to visit Kathy in
Australia, 1979

Retirement and More Travel

Ed retired in 1976 at age 63. From then on, we had some fabulous trips together: Mexico with John and Hope in 1977, two trips to Australia – 1979 and 1985 including New Zealand, New York in 1980, the Panama Canal cruise to Puerto Rico with Flo and Andy and then we drove with them to Florida in 1983. Eastern Canada, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland 1983, Western Canada 1984, Florida Cruise and Epcot Center 1987, England, Ireland and Scotland 1988, copper Canyon Mexico and Texas in 1989. Also somewhere in between were two trips to the four islands of Hawaii. Those were our luxury trips – tour packages.

But in 1985 – August we bought a 1973 Winnebago motorhome – oh how Ed loved that. He was so excited about driving it. He’d wanted one for years but we never had enough money – so when I retired from Daughtrey's in April 1985, there was enough money in my retirement fund to buy our Winnebago for $9000 and enough for me to have all my kitchen cabinets refaced, new linoleum and new stove too. Wow! Were we happy then.

Winnebago purchased in 1985

Took our first trip in it to Clear Lake. But our best one was to Albuquerque New Mexico for the Balloon Festival – oh how Ed enjoyed that – then Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands, Sedona and many more wonderful sights. Short trips to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, Lava Beds, Brookdale and Ben Lomond.

I always did the planning – but Ed and Terry too were always ready to go. He loved to drive and I loved to ride. He was a good driver and I always felt safe and content wherever we went.

Leukemia Diagnosis

Our dreams were shattered in May 1986. After a general physical at Kaiser Dr. Jensen Akula informed us that Ed had chronic leukemia. I was so scared! But Ed took the bad news calmly and went on living without complaint. He began to tire easily and was very confused at times – he’d forget how to get to Kaiser, or our friends’ homes, but he just did the best he could. I loved him all the more for his attitude and determination, although sometimes I was cross and impatient with him and now, I hate myself for being that way.

During his illness, Dr. Akula prescribed medication only three times. Kemo pills – Alkeran or melphalan. A ten-day dose seemed to bring his white blood cells down to a safe level. They ran from 21,000 to 43,000.

Kathy, Chris, Lottie, Ed and Terry celebrating Ed and
Lottie's 50th wedding anniversary, 1989

I am so grateful that we were able to celebrate our 50^th (and 51^st) wedding anniversary. First, we took a trip – a cruise that is to Alaska in June 1989. Jess and Cliff and Grace and Ernie were with us – also celebrating their 50^th. After the cruise, Ed and I continued on to Denali National Park and Fairbanks. It sure had changed a lot since our first trip in 1965. Ed was pretty sick at times and tired easily, but even so, we walked all over Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks. He was such a good sport and tried so hard to please me. It was a wonderful trip and I’ll never forget it.

And then best of all on August 1, 1989 Kathy came home for a one-month visit – her first in 19 years. Chris made the arrangements for her ticket and besides that she hosted a 50^th party in her home for Ed and I and all our good friends on August 19^th. What a feast we had – good drinks and dips, then fabulous turkey that Dianne barbecued. Chris made delicious salad and Kathy made my favorite dessert – Pavlova. Ed was still feeling pretty good so we had a super happy day. Everyone took pictures and brought lovely cards – for my scrapbook. I told Chris not to give us a party because she had given us one on our 25^th and another on our 40^th but I’m so glad she didn’t listen to me. The memory of that day with Ed and all our close friends will be with me forever.

Ed, Kathy, Terry, Lottie, Walt Gunn and Ernie Moore
at the 50th Anniversary party.

Then we all went camping to Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Kathy rode and slept with Chris in her van – also Rookie. Ed and I, Terry, Ebony and Misty in the Winnebago. It was a happy four days for all of us – except Chris got stung by a yellow jacket. Jean and Walt spent an evening with us, Chris started drawing up our family tree, and we picnicked up at beautiful Alpine Lake, and spent our evenings playing Tripoli – our favorite game.

In October of 1989 Ed and I took an outstanding trip to Copper Canyon Mexico. It was a difficult and strenuous trip for Ed and he got pretty sick. We were home three weeks before he felt well again and began to eat. Then in mid-December he had a bad fall on the gravel driveway while helping Terry put up the Christmas lights.

Ed sitting in his chair with long time friends Al, Cliff
Gossett and Ernie Moore.

After that his condition went downhill. There were more falls and he was very confused – poor sweetie. On January 4, 1990 he entered Kaiser – against his will. I felt so badly – I didn’t want to leave him there but the doctor wanted to do some tests. He was there a week. Test results showed previous strokes and a small clot on the brain. Dr. Akula and his co-doctors said the damage was permanent and no medication would be of any help. I was heartsick. They sent him home with the discouraging words – not to expect any improvement. Ed was in bad shape, hardly able to speak, ate practically nothing, not able to get dressed or do anything for himself. Kaiser home nurses came but advised me to place him in a nursing home. I knew I couldn’t do that without first trying to care for him myself. So, with determination, patience and a lot of T.L.C. I brought him back to a reasonably healthy man. From wheelchair to walker to cane and even walking alone. We began a new and even closer life together.

Lottie and Ed on one of their trips to Hawaii, 1980s

We went for drives in the car, shopping for groceries, lunches at Southland, a couple of shows and nicest of all two camping trips. In April 1990 we spent four happy days at Millerton Lake and in May we celebrated Ed’s 77^th birthday and Mother’s Day for another four days at Del Valle Reservoir. Chris and Dianne came to spend a day with us too. I was so grateful – I didn’t think I’d ever have this chance.

Things went well – his appetite improved – he gained weight. Shaun and Sandy arrived March 11, on a round the world trip – they cheered him up and joined us on our rides to get acquainted with California. Then they were off to Wyoming for two months with Larry – returning mid-June. Ed was doing really well at that time and I was ecstatic – even able to go up and down a few steps.

About the end of June things got bad again ….. Ed did not respond to treatment and each day he slipped a little farther away from me. On September 3, 1990 at 6:15 PM while we were listening to the A’s ballgame, he closed his eyes and took his last breath. I knew I was going to lose him, but even so I wasn’t ready to let him go. I miss him so very much. Every day I told him I loved him and he always responded “I love you too” even though sometimes he just moved his lips, nodded his head or squeezed my hand.

Lottie, Ed and Chris with Rookie and Misty, ca. 1984

We held his memorial service at Chapel of the Valley on September 7^th. Chris gave a wonderful eulogy honoring her Father. The chapel was filled with our good friends who loved and respected him. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland. It’s a pleasant spot with a big shade tree and a view of the bay and San Francisco skyline on a clear day. The opposite view of green slopes with magnolia, fir and other varieties of trees, and is dotted with the headstones of other loved ones.

He’s been away from me for two and a half months, and I’m still so lonesome for him. He was such a quiet guy, but he was always there whenever I needed him. I know I’m lucky that we had 51 happy years together, but I wish we could have had more.

So now I’m trying to put my life back together and begin a new chapter. Ed always said “It doesn’t do any good to cry about it” and I know he’s right but it isn’t easy. I know I’m very fortunate to have Terry here with me and Chris just a phone call away. I’ll always have my memories and now I’m trying my best to move ahead without my sweetheart.

Ed as a toddler

Ed’s Life Before Lottie by Chris

James Edward Pattillo was the eldest son of Lewis and Anna Pattillo. He was born in Los Angeles on May 10, 1913. When he was about five years old his family moved to Fresno and lived in a house at 1245 Iowa Street. Two years later when the 1920 census was taken they had moved to 3512 Tulare in Fresno. Ed attended Jackson Elementary School in Fresno. Then his family relocated to Oakland where he graduated from Alexander Hamilton Junior High on June 12, 1927, and Fremont High School on December 12, 1930. He earned a School Seal on his diploma signifying a minimum average scholarship of 1.9, and a conduct record of 105 points. This was the second highest ranking in his school. He was one of 31 to get this acknowledgment in a class of 148. He was also an honor roll student. Only 40 of 148 students in his class made the honor roll.

Ed as a young boy

Between junior high and high school the Pattillo family moved to 1310 49^th Avenue. After graduating from high school dad took a job as a truck driver for Signal Oil Company. On September 20, 1938 Ed and Lottie became engaged. By September 1939 dad had switched to Texaco Oil Company still working as a truck driver and in March of 1942 he was driving for Sunshine Biscuit Company. The rest of Dad’s story is in Mom’s narrative above.