James Lee "Jim" Patterson, 84, of Pensacola, FL passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2016. Jim was born on July 4, 1932 in Toledo, OH to John David and Ruth Higbie Patterson. He graduated from Adrian College in Adrian, MI with a Journalism degree; from the University of Central Florida, Orlando with a Bachelors degree in English and a Masters degree in Education. He then joined the United States Air Force, Aviation Cadets, graduating in 1954. He served in the Strategic Air Command in the B47's, B52's, Minuteman Missiles, RF4C and F111; was a navigator and served in a field maintenance squadron. His assignments included duty at San Antonio, TX, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ, Warner Robins, GA, F. E. Warren AFB, WY, Shaw AFB, SC, Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Mtn. Home AFB, ID and he retired as a Lt. Colonel.

After retirement from the USAF, he taught school at Clear Lake Middle in Cocoa, FL, at Jackson Middle in Titusville, FL and Booker T. Washington High in Pensacola.

He was married to Theresa Mayone from 1954-1986 and to Betty Jacqueline Wells from 1988-2016.

Jim was preceded in death by Theresa Mayone in March, 1986, Betty Jacqueline Baggett Wells in June 2016; also by his mother, Ruth Higbie Patterson and his father, John David Patterson and by his brothers, Herbert and Melvin Patterson.

He is survived by his children; Scott Leslie Patterson, Margot Anne Patterson Crossley, Todd Christopher Patterson, Scott Wells, Jimmy Wells and Stanley Trepas; his grandchildren, Aaron Patrick Williams, Christopher Robert Williams, Ryan Elliott Williams, April Kathleen Williams, Amber Patterson, Ian Patterson, Michelle Patterson, Bailey Trepas, Courtney Wells and Ian Wells.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00am Saturday, December 10, 2016 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

Special thanks are given to Scott Wells for all his help in the care of Jim and with his service arrangements and details.