Lory Patrick, the actress who appeared in the popular Western series “Tales of Wells Fargo” and various other television programs during the 1960s, died January 26, 2026, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. She was 92.
Patrick died peacefully, her family announced. She was the widow of Dean Jones. The couple was married for 42 years until Jones died in September 2015 from Parkinson’s disease at age 84.
Born Loretta Basham on April 8, 1933, in Beckley, West Virginia, Patrick graduated from Oak Hill High School before pursuing a modeling career. She worked as a model in Detroit and New York, where she also landed appearances in television commercials. Her break into entertainment came when she appeared on the NBC game show “Split Personality,” which led her to move to Los Angeles to pursue acting.
After signing with Universal Studios in 1961, Patrick appeared on “The Loretta Young Show” before being cast in her most notable television role. She played schoolteacher Tina Swenson on “Tales of Wells Fargo,” appearing opposite Dale Robertson in 15 episodes during the Western series’ sixth and final season.
Beyond “Tales of Wells Fargo,” Patrick built an extensive television resume during the 1960s. She appeared on “Bonanza,” “Wagon Train,” “Dr. Kildare,” “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis” and “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.” Her work spanned multiple genres, demonstrating her versatility as an actress during television’s golden age.
Patrick’s film credits included “Surf Party” in 1964 and the 1967 musical comedy “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” The latter film, based on the Broadway musical, featured an ensemble cast and satirized corporate culture in America during the era.
She retired from acting in the late 1960s, a time when many performers were transitioning between traditional studio system work and the changing landscape of television production. However, Patrick remained active in the entertainment industry through writing. She wrote episodes for “Bonanza,” which was particularly notable given that female television writers were rare during that period.
Patrick’s creative work extended beyond screenwriting. She wrote the book “Hearing God” in 1993, which received the 2000 Excellence in Print Award. The devotional work demonstrated her interest in spiritual matters, which became increasingly central to her life after leaving acting.
In 1984, Patrick directed the stage play “St John in Exile,” which toured nationally and featured her husband Dean Jones in the lead role. The production proved successful enough to be adapted into a 1986 film, with Jones reprising his role as the disciple. Patrick received credit as the stage director for the film adaptation.
Patrick’s first marriage was to science fiction writer Harlan Ellison. They married and divorced in 1966, and she was the third of Ellison’s five wives. She married Jones in June 1973, becoming his second wife, and the marriage lasted until his death four decades later.
Throughout her marriage to Jones, Patrick engaged in ministry work and counseling. The couple’s shared commitment to faith-based activities defined much of their later years together, moving their focus from Hollywood entertainment to religious and charitable endeavors.
Following Jones’ death, Patrick relocated from Tarzana, California, to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to be closer to family. The move to Gettysburg allowed her to spend time with her growing family while pursuing creative interests outside the entertainment industry.
Patrick is survived by three children, along with eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Her family will hold a memorial service at 11 a.m. on April 25 at Mossy Living World Church in Scarbro, West Virginia.
Patrick’s career spanned a transformative period in American television when Westerns dominated prime-time programming and actresses often transitioned from modeling careers into acting roles. Her work on “Tales of Wells Fargo” came during the final wave of classic Western television series, before the genre began its decline in popularity during the late 1960s.
Her decision to write for “Bonanza” placed her among a small group of women working behind the cameras in television during an era when the industry remained largely male-dominated. Women scriptwriters faced significant barriers to entry in the 1960s, making Patrick’s dual career as both actress and writer particularly noteworthy. Her contributions to the long-running Western series demonstrated her understanding of the genre from both sides of the camera.
