Lyman “Pat” Patterson’s last mission on earth was completed when his countdown clock reached March 12, 2017; called to Heaven above by the Lord. Born in 1942 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all, whose departure from this life is preceded by his parents Carl and Ruth Patterson and his sister Shirley P. Parker. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sharon Pinson Patterson; his son Damon, wife Lorena and their daughter Andrea; his daughter Karla (Amos), husband Roy, their two children – Rindi and Ryan; his mother-in-law Virginia Pinson; his brother Alfred Patterson; and many loyal loving friends. Some people only knew his name as Pat, some others knew him as Lyman, but EVERYONE that knew him knows that he was a Florida State University FANatic – GO NOLES!!!!
After graduation from Langley High in 1960, Pat’s lifelong dedication to service and helping others began with his enlisting in the United States Air Force. His assignments included foreign and domestic locations in support of both the Cold War and Vietnam War. After his honorable separation from active duty, he moved to Florida and worked at Patrick Air Force Base in direct support of the Eastern Test Range. Joining together in a team of thousands committed to taking President Kennedy’s proclamation from a dream to reality in just 10 Years, Pat not only contributed to putting the 1st astronaut on the moon, and bringing them safely back to Earth, but would go on to be a continuing part of space exploration history. In 1972, he transitioned into a key role with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at the newly created John F. Kennedy Space Center. In 2013 after 41 years of dedication, serving in various roles including Chief Steward for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 2088, and the last shuttle mission marking the end of another era in space flight, Pat retired saying, “I did what others only dreamed about doing.”
When Pat wasn’t helping to get astronauts into space, you would find him volunteering in youth organizations where he was a positive, enthusiastic mentor, teacher, and inspiration,
making an everlasting impact on thousands of youths and their parents. For over 30 years at the baseball field he wore many hats while volunteering as a Coach, Manager, Umpire, Board Member, Assistant District Commissioner, and a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association. His commitment, and dedication were paid homage when Little League bestowed their highest honor upon him by selecting him as 1 of only 13 to be a member of the all-volunteer umpiring crew for the 1993 Senior League Baseball World Series. For 16 plus years in the outdoors he was an adult volunteer in the Boy Scouts of America helping with the cub pack and scout troop as Assistant Scoutmaster, District Camporee Chairman and eventually as Unit Commissioner. Not only was he elected to Scouting’s national honor society (Order of the Arrow), his continued unselfish service and helping other people at all times was acknowledged with the highest mark of distinction and recognition – The Vigil Honor. Before he put out his last campfire, the South Brevard District identified Pat as a Scouter who rendered service of an outstanding nature at the district level and presented him with the Award of Merit.