Colonel John Alan Pattison

Colonel John “Jack” Alan Pattison passed away on December 27, 2022 at the age of 85. Born in Detroit, Michigan on September 24, 1937, he was son of the late John and Florence Demo Pattison and was married to Marinelle “Bobbi” Pattison. Jack was a highly respected and decorated United States Army Veteran. Jack retired as a Colonel after serving 30 years in the US Army, primarily in tactical intelligence positions, earning the Ranger tab and Master Parachutist wings. He made major contributions to intelligence training during two tours at the Army Intelligence Center and School. Two years after retirement in 1989, Jack was inducted into the Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame. He was selected as the Honorary Colonel for the Military Intelligence Corps Regiment from 1998 to 2006, and was designated as a Distinguished Member of the MI Corps. Jack’s military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the Bronze Star Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Meritorious Service Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the Air Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, as well as service badges from the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Army Staff. Colonel Jack Pattison was regarded as a skillful leader, a hero, and a man of great strength and character, but most of all, he was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. Surviving Jack is his loving wife of 62 years, Bobbi; daughter, Susan Merritt (Jim) of Rockwood, TN; two sons, John “Skip” Pattison (Tammy) of Fayetteville, GA and Mike Pattison (Laura) of Marietta, GA; seven grandchildren, Lexi Michelson (Jason) of Knoxville, TN, Mandi Risko (Dan) of Columbus, OH, Megan Pattison of Birmingham, AL, Mitch Pattison (Rai) of Salt Lake City, UT, Mick Pattison of Fayetteville, GA, Michaela Pattison of Tampa, FL, and Marina Pattison of St. Petersburg, FL; three great-grandchildren, Cooper, Tate and Riley Michelson of Knoxville, TN, and one sister, Mary Lou Larson (Ron) of Northbrook, IL. Jack was active in his church, the Jamieson United Methodist Church in Clarksville, and often used his resounding voice to sing in the choir. He enjoyed traveling the world with Bobbi, including their latest trips just this year to Alaska and Germany. Never slowed down and always vigorous, Jack savored outdoor activities, especially meeting in Kansas with his close hunting companions of more than 30 years. He will be rejoined in Heaven with his beloved hunting dogs Sassy, Bandit, and Cheatham. Jack is a proud graduate of Michigan State, class of ‘57 and was a brother of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. In lieu of flowers, the family asks those wishing to make donations please consider Folds of Honor (www.foldsofhonor.org) or your local Rescue and Fire Departments. Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home is honored to serve the Pattison Family and offers online condolences as well as many other resources by visiting their website, www.watkinscooperlyon.com, or by going to their Facebook page.