Eventually, he opened a law practice in Pontiac where he took segregationist advocate Irene McCabe as a client.
[4] During his time representing Irene McCabe, he became a vocal and polarizing advocate against integration in Pontiac schools.
[6] During his years as County Executive, Patterson faced serious health problems, twice undergoing surgery to place stents to control blood flow and, in August 2012, being severely injured as the passenger in a car crash when his Cadillac was T-boned by a Volkswagen test car.
While in care in October 2012, Patterson dismissed claims that his injuries left him unfit to serve if reelected.
The event is sponsored by local businesses and draws participants from the Oakland University campus and area residents.