Alan L Patterson

MSGT Alan Lester Patterson (United States Air Force, Retired) of Midway, Georgia, died on Friday, July 27, 2018, at Hospice House of Savannah, after a lengthy illness.  He was 66 years old, being born on March 9, 1952, to Marvin and Jo Ella (McCabe) Patterson in Coffeyville, Kansas.  The family legend is that he was named after the popular 1950s actor Alan Ladd.  Alan never met a stranger, had an easy smile, a great sense of humor, and a wonderful laid-back style.

While growing up, Alan was active in Boy Scouts, starting as a Cub and attaining the level of Eagle Scout. He loved the adventures of Scouting and was even able to travel to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico for a two-week adventure in high mountain camping and hiking, a trip that he relived until his dying day.

A 1970 graduate of Bradwell Institute in Hinesville, he attended South Georgia College in Douglas, Georgia, where he was the photographer for the yearbook and had the rare opportunity to photograph the Allman Brothers for the yearbook during one of their early concerts.  He left South Georgia College to join the US Air Force and spent 3 years in Misawa, Japan, during which he developed a life-long fondness for Asian food, particularly sushi.  After leaving the Air Force, he obtained a degree in Communications from Georgia Southern College (now Georgia Southern University) which led to his lifetime career in communications.  He loved Georgia Southern football and was a season ticket holder. Go Eagles!

In addition to his civilian career in communications, he served in the 283rd Air Force National Guard for nearly 20 years and retired at the rank of Master Sergeant.  He traveled frequently with his Guard Unit, serving at bases in Spain and Turkey, among others.

Alan was an active member of the Midway American Legion Post where he served as Sergeant of Arms. He was also a member of the 17 South Shooting Club and the Coastal Georgia Gun Club and enjoyed competitive shooting tournaments.

Alan was proud of his Irish heritage and served for over 20 years as a member of the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee.  As a member of the Adjutant Staff, he spent the wee hours of St. Patrick's Day in Savannah wrangling parade participants, ensuring that every band was in proper order for the big parade.  He often compared this job to "herding cats," but he thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship of being a Parade Committee member. To continue honoring his Irish heritage, Alan and his wife Ruth fulfilled a longtime desire to take a trip to Ireland, where he reported that he discovered several distant Patterson relatives.  Alan truly made friends all over the world.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law, Steve Tindle and Jimmy Patti. 

He is survived by Ruth, his loving wife of 45 years; daughter Carly Talley (Matt) of Macon, Georgia; granddaughters Madilyn and Cassandra Talley of Macon; sister Sandy Burch (Gary) of Hawkinsville, Georgia; nephew Rev. Aaron Brewer, his wife Kristi, and their children Caroline and Adam of Hawkinsville; sisters-in-law Sharon Tindle of New York City, Glenda Patti of Hinesville, and Brenda Tindle of South Carolina; uncle Ed McCabe of Hays, Kansas; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and long-time friends too numerous to list.

Visitation with Alan's family will be 2:00-3:00 pm, Saturday, August 4, 2018, at (Sanford) Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel.  The Memorial Service will begin at 3:00 p.m.  Alan wished to be cremated and will be entombed at a later date at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Glennville, Georgia.

Remembrances may be sent to Hospice House of Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31306.

Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be made at www.CarterOglethorpe.com.