Okey L. Patteson

Okey L. Patteson
23rd Governor of West Virginia
In office 1949–1953
Preceded by	Clarence W. Meadows
Succeeded by	William C. Marland
Personal details
Born	September 14, 1898(1898-09-14) Mingo County, West Virginia
Died	July 3, 1989(1989-07-03) (aged 90) Beckley, West Virginia
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Lee Hawse Patteson
Profession	Politician
Religion	Methodist

Okey Leonidas Patteson (September 14, 1898 – July 3, 1989) was born in Mingo County, West Virginia. He was the 23rd Governor of West Virginia for the term following the 1948 election. He was a member of the United States Democratic Party and of the "machine" that totally controlled politics in that era in the state.

He is best known for his decision to place the state's first medical school at West Virginia University in Morgantown, in the northern part of the state, rather than in the more centrally located Charleston. A section of West Virginia Route 705 leading to West Virginia University Hospitals is named Patteson Drive in his honor.

He also is known for the initial construction of the West Virginia Turnpike, which was to be a 4-lane road system throughout the state, although, after his term, it was superseded by the interstate highway system, with only a 2-lane section between Charleston and Princeton ever completed.

After his term he served as general manager of the Turnpike.

External links

• Biography of Okey L. Patteson
• Inaugural Address of Okey L. Patteson

Political offices
Preceded by Clarence W. Meadows	Governor of West Virginia 1949–1953	Succeeded by William C. Marland

Persondata
Name	Patteson, Okey L
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	September 14, 1898
Place of birth	Mingo County, West Virginia
Date of death	July 3, 1989
Place of death	Beckley, West Virginia