Dr. A.T. (Pat) Pagter, Jr., 85, died Monday, Feb. 2, 2015 at his residence after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Pagter was born in February, 1930 in Washington, D.C., the son of the late Amos T. Pagter Sr. and Ruth Weidenhamer Pagter. He received his education in medicine at Duke University and did his internship at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, N.Y. Dr. Pagter enlisted in the Navy and was stationed at May Navy Dispensary in Washington, where he attended to notable persons, one of whom was President John F. Kennedy.

Dr. Pagter moved to Tryon in 1961 where he had a successful practice of internal medicine for 53 years. During this time he had the honor to serve as the chief of staff at St. Luke’s Hospital and was on the North Carolina Board of Medical Examiners for six years, holding the title of president for one of those years. He also received two Long Leaf Pine Awards for serving on the State Medical Board.

He was an active member of the leadership, ministered on the praise and worship team and was involved in overseas missions at Word of Faith Fellowship in Spindale, N.C.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Elizabeth Pagter Glendinning, a daughter Melinda Pagter Masterman, and a son-in-law John Dolan.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 60 years, Dorothy Bruce Pagter, two daughters, Patti Dolan, Suzanna Southerland and her husband Greg; grandson Nick Anderson and his wife , Sarah; granddaughter Ashley McGee and her husband Benjamin; granddaughter Allison Cornelius; great grandsons Carson Parker Dolan, and Aden Brock Anderson all of Rutherfordton, N.C. He is also survived by one brother Ralph Gibson Pagter and his wife Margo; nephews Scott and Ralph Jr., along with great nephews and niece of California.

Services will be held Friday, Feb. 6, 2015 at 7 p.m. at The Word of Faith Fellowship. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Word of Faith Christian School, 207 Old Flynn Road, Spindale, N.C. 28160.

Online condolences may be made at www.crowemortuary.com. Crowe’s Mortuary, 118 US Hwy 74A Rutherfordton, N.C. 28139, is assisting the family of Dr. Pagter.