Dr. John R. Patton II, PhD, USAF Ret., passed away in Melbourne, Florida, following a courageous battle with cancer. Born on June 28, 1938, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Albert Patton and Josephine Cashman-Patton. John was a devoted brother to Peggy Meunier and Joan Hanson. For 63 years, he was the cherished husband of Dorothy A. Patton (nee Ceichon), the love of his life. A proud veteran and scholar, Dr. Patton's legacy lives on through his children, John R Patton III and Sandra A Patton, and his beloved grandchildren, Tatiana, Kristina, and Ariana. Following the loss of his wife in March 2025, John was laid to rest beside her at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery on December 19, 2025.
Raised at the Soule House in Fairfield, VT, Dr. Patton's lifelong journey of service began shortly after high school when he joined the Air National Guard in Pensacola. While serving as an aircraft mechanic from 1956 to 1962, he concurrently attended Pensacola Junior College. After earning his Bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire, he was commissioned into the USAF in 1963 and completed pilot training on the T-37/38 in Laredo, TX. His early career took him to Okinawa, Japan, where he formed cherished, lifelong friendships.
In 1970, he shared his knowledge as an ROTC instructor while completing his Master's degree. A dedicated officer and scholar, Dr. Patton served in Vietnam and conducted vital intelligence work in Thailand, earning numerous medals for his bravery and expertise. Following the Vietnam drawdown, he transitioned to the U.S. Army (1975-1983), where he served with a British Regiment near Heinsberg, Germany. He later attended the prestigious Defense Language Institute in Monterey to master Russian and German. He eventually returned to the USAF, retiring in 1985 after a distinguished assignment at the NSA.
Dr. Patton's retirement from the military was merely the start of a prolific academic career. After earning his PhD from Nova University, he spent 25 years as a professor at the Florida Institute of Technology, serving both the Kennedy Space Center and the main campuses. A man of many talents, he was also a licensed Realtor and a private pilot. He will be remembered as a man of boundless ambition and unwavering dedication.
A devoted father and grandfather, he was a constant source of warmth and love. He possessed an insatiable passion for learning; whether he was pursuing his legal degree in the 1970s and 80s or mastering business management and marketing in the 90s, he was rarely without his coursework. While naturally quiet, he had a gift for public speaking, using his sharp humor to light up any room. Although sports weren't his personal hobby, he was the ultimate fan of his children's and grandchildren's endeavors. After showing immense strength while caring for his beloved wife during her final years, he faced his own battle with cancer with equal courage. He fought a long, valiant fight through daily treatments until he finally found peace. He is deeply missed and will be forever loved.
Raised at the Soule House in Fairfield, VT, Dr. Patton's lifelong journey of service began shortly after high school when he joined the Air National Guard in Pensacola. While serving as an aircraft mechanic from 1956 to 1962, he concurrently attended Pensacola Junior College. After earning his Bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire, he was commissioned into the USAF in 1963 and completed pilot training on the T-37/38 in Laredo, TX. His early career took him to Okinawa, Japan, where he formed cherished, lifelong friendships.
In 1970, he shared his knowledge as an ROTC instructor while completing his Master's degree. A dedicated officer and scholar, Dr. Patton served in Vietnam and conducted vital intelligence work in Thailand, earning numerous medals for his bravery and expertise. Following the Vietnam drawdown, he transitioned to the U.S. Army (1975-1983), where he served with a British Regiment near Heinsberg, Germany. He later attended the prestigious Defense Language Institute in Monterey to master Russian and German. He eventually returned to the USAF, retiring in 1985 after a distinguished assignment at the NSA.
Dr. Patton's retirement from the military was merely the start of a prolific academic career. After earning his PhD from Nova University, he spent 25 years as a professor at the Florida Institute of Technology, serving both the Kennedy Space Center and the main campuses. A man of many talents, he was also a licensed Realtor and a private pilot. He will be remembered as a man of boundless ambition and unwavering dedication.
A devoted father and grandfather, he was a constant source of warmth and love. He possessed an insatiable passion for learning; whether he was pursuing his legal degree in the 1970s and 80s or mastering business management and marketing in the 90s, he was rarely without his coursework. While naturally quiet, he had a gift for public speaking, using his sharp humor to light up any room. Although sports weren't his personal hobby, he was the ultimate fan of his children's and grandchildren's endeavors. After showing immense strength while caring for his beloved wife during her final years, he faced his own battle with cancer with equal courage. He fought a long, valiant fight through daily treatments until he finally found peace. He is deeply missed and will be forever loved.
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