John Vance Patterson, Jr.
May 25, 1921 - January 12, 2007
Obituary
John V. Patterson, Jr., of Federal Way, died January 12, 2007. Born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, May 25th, 1921, he was raised in Long Beach, California. Dad was a member of the “Greatest Generation”. He served as a B-29 combat crew member in WWII and later served in the Vietnam War. He spent much of his United States Air Force career as a B-52 navigator. When he retired as a Colonel in 1973, the family moved to the Pacific Northwest. He worked at Boeing Aerospace as a manager in international operations and plans before taking full retirement in 1986. Dad met his beloved wife of 63 years and our mom, Jacqualeen, in 1936 while attending Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. They married in May 1943. They share a love that is profound and will last into the hereafter. John is preceded in death by his mother Ruth, his father John Vance, Sr. and his sister, Sister Angela Patterson, IHM. John is survived by Jackie; their four children, Cecilia, Kathleen and her husband William Goetz, Patricia and her husband, Dan Gallagher and Timothy; seven grandchildren including Jennifer and her husband William, Matthew, John, Timothy John, Jr., Katharine, Kristopher and Andrew; one great-grandchild, Addison Jane; and John’s brother, William and his wife, Joyce. Dad will be remembered for his lasting love for our mom, as well as his love of family and country. We love you Dad and we will miss you. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, 01/17/07 from 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm at BONNEY-WATSON Federal Way, 1535 SW Dash Point Road, Federal Way, WA 253 839-7317. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, 01/18/07 at 11:00 am at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church, 30525 – 8th Avenue S, Federal Way, WA. Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Vincent dePaul or to a favorite charity.
Jackie,Cathy,Pat, Time and Cecila,
We are so sorry for the passing of John. Of course you all knew how much we loved to be in his company. Some of our fondest memories will be of him getting Eric Edlund just hammered at your house! We all learned a valuable lesson that night – beer only!
And of course it was always fun to share the Seattle based Apple Cups with the Patterson family at the College Club. Thank you for letting us be part of the extended family to celebrate the Cougar wins and groan about the Huskey wins.
We will truly miss John. His Christmas letters were always fun to read and we just loved that they were always on a typewriter.
Our thougths and prayers are with you all. We are planning to be at the service on Thursday.
We love you and are keeping you close in our prayers and thoughts.
Love – Pat and Norma
John you were a wonderful cousin and I always looked up to you.
Jimmy Foster
Pat was one of the most interesting, knowledgeable, kind, and gracious individuals we’ve ever known. We have now lost both sides Sammie’s mother, Hazel, and Pat of the personal war years history we used to hear and learn from on various occasions. He can not be forgotten and will be deeply missed. Our most sincere condolences to Jackie and the family.
I am the Son of Major Tom Weldon.
John was my
father’s flight engineer on the B29.
I am very sorry to hear that John has
passed away. In the beginning of this month
I had my first contact with John because
I was looking to
find some information about my father.
Thomas Weldon, Germany
To Jackie
Our deepest sympathies and fondest memories of Pat. We well remember renting your house in January 1981. We had only just moved in and had no furniture. But Pat somehow managed to mount a ‘bare based party’ with yourself, the neighbours and our friends from the Royal New Zealand Air Force. That was a memorable and entertaining night Annie and I have never forgotten. Our son Jonathan was born at Valley General Hospital and raised in your house for over two years. Pat always loved Jonathan being raised in your home and we have many memories of the kindness of you both. I will always remember Pat’s witty repartee. Whilst we were renting your property he wrote several letters to our RNZAF administration officer whilst we were based at the Boeing Facility in Renton. Such was the wit that the whole unit always awaited the next edition from Pat.
All our love to you and your family
Annie, John & Jonathan
John Patterson was my neighbor on the other side of the fence. As a kid, I’d go over and visit him and his wife. They were always so kind to us! He’d take pictures of us on Halloween, and he never forgot my birthday! He’d always send me a birthday card, christmas cards, and since I’m serving a mission for my church, he’s sent me cards while I’ve been in Ohio. I’ll never forget this GOOD samaritan!!!
IN GOD WE TRUST!!!!!
So sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. He served with my Dad in CBI and sent me info on my Dad years ago. I will give a memorial thru the American Legion Auxiliary in his honor. God Bless, Dot
My very sincere condolences. Another of our shrinking circle of WW II airmen off into the Wild Blue Yonder on his final mission.
To Jackie,
I remember fondly the good times we had in Sacramento with Pat and you. Also I remember your gracious and warm hospitality when Jay of blessed memory and I visited you in Seattle.
Pat will remain in my memory as a true friend, a courageous man, a family man and a supporter of Israel. Jay’s business trips to Boeing were always enhanced by his lively conversations with Pat.
May you and your family comforted by the wonderful memories you have of Pat who cherished you and was so proud of his high-school sweetheart.
Sarale
COL. Patterson was a role model in my fathers life and well as the rest of the Caires family. Rest in peace sir.
From a brother ace
To Jackie and the family we send our condolence and prayers. Your friendship shall be our a treasure forever.
I will always cherish the great memories displayed by a great man of his generation. He was my father’s mentor. His name circulated our houshold frequently and will continue to do so.
To Jackie and family our prayers are with you now and forever. We miss you Pat, especially the “say hello to Dotti” after our weekly phone calls and the salutes when backing out of your driveway. You were the most generous person and friendship and help to those seeking it.Your help and guidence after our evacuation from Iran played a big part in our settling in Federal Way. You were a joy and insperation from the time I met you in the processing line in Osan, Korea in 1969. Although we never flew together as crew members I can proudly say that I was a part of your life. We miss you, Pat.
Thank you for letting me know about your dad’s death. He was always so good about keeping my late husband, Bob, “in the loop”, after Bob’s serious stroke in 1986. I thought it was so good of Pat to take the time to send Bob tapes and articles about mutual acquaintances and co-workers to make Bob feel important. Your dad filled a vital function in a way of which I am personally aware. I shall always appreciate that. Please express my sympathies to your sweet, sweet mother. She is such an absolute lady. With much fondness, Becky McGehee
Pat was one of our heroes – He will NEVER be forgotten and he will be deeply missed.
Godspeed, P2
Col. Patterson was a wonderful friend and Air Force colleague of my dad at Norton AFB and at Boeing. I have fond memories of his kind spirit and his love of history. He was a very special man and my siblings and I feel very grateful to have known him. Our hearts go out to Mrs. Patterson and family…. The Urquhart’s.
Although we never met John in person we had an e-mail correspondance with him a few years back. He was a real gentleman and we enjoyed our e-mail “chats” with him. He has a great family and will be missed by all who knew him. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Pat was the greatest! I have never known anyone as thoughtful as Pat. While we were in Iran, he saw to it that all of us were taken care of. He was especially kind to our son Dan. I guess that the two of them are ln heaven drinking tea and talking about the good times in Iran.
Our memories in Iran are very good, thanks to Pat. He was definitely an optimist and kept all of us on a happy note.
The world is a better place because of the lives that Pat touched.
Our best to Jackie and family.