Okey L. Patteson

Okey Leonidas Patteson (September 14, 1898 – July 3, 1989) was the 23rd governor of West Virginia from 1949 to 1953. He was a member of the Democratic Party and of the "machine" that totally controlled politics in that era in the state.

Biography Okey Patteson was son of L.C. and Lola (Groves) Patteson. He was born at Dingess, West Virginia and raised at Mount Hope, Fayette County. He married Lee Hawse in 1923 and they had two daughters, Fanny Lee and Anna Hughes. His religious affiliation was Methodist. In 1932, a hunting accident left him disabled, as both of his legs had to be amputated below the knees.

Patteson graduated with a bachelor's degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College and did post-graduate work at Carnegie Institute of Technology. He was awarded honorary degrees of L.L.D. from West Virginia University in 1949 and from West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Patteson worked as an automobile dealer and with real estate in Mount Hope. He served as President of Fayette County Court 1935–1941 and as sheriff of Fayette County 1941–1944. In the 1944 elections, he was Campaign manager for the Democratic Party and became a Presidential elector. The new governor, Clarence W. Meadows, appointed him his personal assistant, a position he held for three years, until he resigned to run for governor, January 1, 1948. He won the nomination with a margin of 62,000 over the nearest opponent and was elected by majority of 110,000 in the general election. He served as governor for one term.

Patteson was a member of the Board of Trustees of West Virginia Wesleyan College, and of a number of societies: Free masons, Knights Templar, Moose International, Lions, Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, Sons of the American Revolution and Elks. He was a member of the National Guard for three years.

During his term, the legislature created the position of state Tax Commissioner and authorized cities to levy sales taxes. Gardner dedicated his detective novel Top of the Heap to Patteson.