Okey L. Patteson

Okey Leonidas Patteson ( born September 14, 1898 in Dingess, Mingo County, West Virginia; † July 3, 1989 in Beckley, West Virginia ) was an American politician and from 1949 to 1953 the 23 governor of the state of West Virginia.

Early years and political rise

Okey Patteson visited the West Virginia Wesleyan College and the Carnegie Institute of Technology. After that, he was a car salesman and real estate agents in Mount Hope. After a hunting accident in 1932, both his legs below the knee had to be removed. Between 1935 and 1941 Patteson was employed at the District Court of Fayette County. After that he was of this county until 1945 the county sheriff. In 1944, he was the campaign manager of Clarence W. Meadows. After his successful election as governor he appointed Patteson to his personal assistant. Four years later, Patteson was even chosen as the Democratic Party candidate for governor of West Virginia.

Governor of West Virginia

Patteson began his four-year term on 17 January 1949. During this time he sat down one particularly for health policy. At that time, controversy has been the health committee, called the "Board of Health ", was founded. The West Virginia University conducted a four-year medical degree programs. Among them were also the dentistry and the training of nurses. However, was the site of these faculties. Instead of it in the middle ds country place, these institutions were moved to Morgantown, almost on the border with Pennsylvania. During his tenure, it was the municipalities are permitted to collect their own sales taxes. in 1952, the toll Commission was established in West Virginia.

Further CV

After the end of his term Patteson was initially in Mount Hope in the real estate business. Then he was appointed General Manager of the toll road operator of West Virginia. Later, he was then re-entered the real estate business in Charleston. He was also president of the Raleigh County Bank. Okey Patteson died in 1989 at the age of 90 years. He was married to Viole Lee Hawse, with whom he had two children.