John Cornell Patterson was a great man who was larger than life with a generous spirit. He was a patriotic veteran, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather to his family.
John Cornell Patterson was born in Houston, Texas on September 23, 1943, to parents John Edwin Patterson and Ruth Evelyn Cornell. He was the first born of two sons and has a younger brother, Randy Patterson. John’s father was a pilot in the Air Force, which allowed young John to see many states and countries while he was growing up. He developed a love for travel during those years, as well as a passion for military aircraft. He also visited his grandparents in Houston and San Antonio during the summers while he was growing up. John cherished those times and developed a close relationship with his aunt Maureen that continued for many years until her passing.
John joined the Air Force at the age of seventeen. He spent 28 years in the Air Force and continued to have the opportunity to travel many places. He served in the Vietnam War in 1965. Before he left for war, he married Mary Bruso in Austin, Texas. Together, they had three children: John, Katherine and Ericka. The couple moved to Texas after John served four years. He continued to serve in the Air Force Reserves for the remainder of his military career, where he became a Senior Master Sergeant.
John developed a love for photography and had quite a natural talent. In the early 1990s, photography became his focal point that led to a successful career as a photographer. Fortunately, his daughter, Ericka also had an interest in photography, and he was able to assist in her development as a creative photographer. In 1995, John met Donna Williams in a photography class at Eastfield College. The two shared a mutual interest in photography and eventually married on September 12, 1995. Together, the couple enjoyed traveling and taking photographs for many years. Donna had been a single mother for many years prior to their union and John accepted her daughter, Jessica as one of his own children. Over the years there were many celebrations of birthdays, holidays, family outings to Texas Ranger games and other family events, especially while the grandchildren were growing up. John was quite the grill master and enjoyed cooking for everyone during family gatherings.
John C. Patterson is survived by his wife Donna of McKinney, Texas, Children; John Patterson and wife Lanna, Kathy Patterson, Ericka Spence and husband Don, and Jessica Corsaro and husband Eric. Grandchildren; Todd Blackburn, Michael Angel and wife Jordan, Mary Brown and husband Kyle, Emily Blackburn, Holly Stoneking and husband Tyler, Evey Skavlan and Aiyanna Nelsen. Great-Grandchildren; Natalie, Bentley and Rayce Brown and Cora Angel. He had such an impact on those around him and will be forever loved and missed.