Jasper E. Patterson

 

Firebird Pilot

 

 

 

 

 

Jasper E. Patterson, 73, of Norman, Oklahoma, passed from this life on April 24, 2009. He was born on November 21, 1935, in Mangum, Oklahoma, to John K. and Ora Mae Taylor Patterson, both of who preceded him in death. Also preceding him were his first wife, Barbara Keros Patterson and a sister, Joan Todd.

 

The family moved to San Pedro, California, in 1940, where Jasper attended Barton Hills Elementary School. They returned to Oklahoma in 1945, where he attended Granite Elementary School until the family moved their farm to Lakecreek, Oklahoma. He graduated from Lakecreek High School in 1954. Jasper attended Oklahoma A & M in Stillwater, Oklahoma for three semesters before transferring to New Mexico State University at Las Cruces, New Mexico where he earned his Electrical Engineering Degree in 1959. While attending NMSU Jasper was employed as a student engineer at White Sands Missile Range. He was active in the Air Force ROTC and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon graduation. He was then assigned to Vance AFB in Enid, Oklahoma where he graduated in the first graduating class of 1962, earning his silver wings.

 

Jasper then completed two years active duty in the Air Force in Alaska with his family at his side. During the Vietnam era, Jasper was a member of the Firebirds, which was recognized for the extraordinary accomplishments of the personnel who crewed or supported the C-130 “Ski Model” of the 17th Troop Carrier Squadron. Never have so few done so much at such risk to themselves and their aircraft.

 

In 1966, Jasper moved his family to Norman, where he began his civilian career as an electrical engineer at Tinker Air Force Base. During this period his career reached lofty heights as lead engineer for the Fuel Savings Panel for more than 600 C/KC-135 aircraft. Another area if which Jasper was lead engineer was the continuous upgrades to the communication and other electronic systems aboard Air Force One, the Presidential airplane. While employed at TAFB, for a period of time, Jasper was a member of the Air Force Reserve, once again flying all over the world.

 

From 1982 - 1987, Jasper was promoted to Colonel and served as the Squadron Commander of the 137th Tactical Airlift Wing, 185 TAS of the Oklahoma Air National Guard during which he flew C-130 Hercules and regularly participated in Air Force Red Flag exercises over the Nevada desert.  Until 1994, Jasper was employed as a Flight Safety Inspector at the Federal Aviation Administration, which included his love of flying, this time flying jets, the Douglas DC-9 and Boeing 727, as well as testing pilots who flew for commercial airlines.

 

In 1984, Jasper married Jayne A. Mayo Patterson uniting families to create one loving family of five sons. During these twenty-five years, five daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren have added much fun and love. In addition to Jayne, the following surviving family members are: sister Jean Wells and husband, Derrell, Austin, TX; sons, Jeffrey Livingston and wife, Lisa; their children, Peter and Rachel, Albuquerque, NM; Mark Livingston and wife, Heather, Edmond, OK, their children, Amy, Megan and Ryan, Memphis, TN; Kenneth Patterson and wife, Monica, Tulsa, OK; Jeffrey Coil and wife, Rebecca, their children, Braxton and Cooper, Edmond, OK; and Michael Coil and wife, Tamara, Edmond, OK. Each son respected Jasper as a father, yet sought him when needing a friend.  Jasper’s life was a life well lived.

 

Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, May 1, 2009, at Havenbrook Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Dr. Jerry Black officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at the Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma. Services are under the direction of Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman, Oklahoma.  In lieu of flowers, send contribution to the Salvation Army.