Thomas Patterson

Thomas Patterson Thomas Patterson was born in Morgantown, West Virginia in 1924 to Thomas and Helen Patterson. The first son, he acquired the nickname "Sonny Boy". He was educated in the Morgantown school system. During his senior year in high school, the bombing of Pearl Harbor instilled in him such a desire to serve his country, that he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served throughout the duration of the war. Thomas returned home and enrolled in West Virginia State College. After completing one year, he decided to transfer to the University of West Virginia, but was initially denied admission because of his race. Tom and his sister Nanna conducted a "sit-in" of over four hours and, as a result, he became the first Black undergraduate to enroll in the University of West Virginia. Four years later, the Korean Conflict started and "Pat" again felt the calling to serve. This time he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was sent to Wichita Falls, Texas for initial training and later to Aircraft Mechanic School where he finished as the top graduate. He then was assigned to Carswell Air Force Base in Ft. Worth, Texas where he met the love of his life and future wife, the former Miss Clara M. Simmons and they were married July 4, 1951. Because of his race, he was given the duty of cleaning the main hanger. His duties actually consisted of sweeping the main hanger floor, and because "Pat" always did his best at everything, that hanger was the cleanest on the entire base. He spent all of his extra time in his favorite pastime, reading and studying. One day, work complete, he sat studying. He was recognized by a former classmate from the Aircraft Mechanic school who, remembering "Patterson" for his skill and hard work, asked him to help with a plane they just couldn't find a way to fix - and from there, he worked his way to becoming the first Black Crew Chief on Carswell Air Force Base. He went on to spend 25 years in the service of our country and received many commendations, awards and medals for his devotion to duty and service to his country. He was a Crew Chief on the B-36 Superfortress, the B-52 Stratofortress, and the KC 135 Stratotanker. He retired from the Air Force in 1967 as a Master Sergeant and Master Crew Chief. Following this, he worked in management for the IBM Company for another 17 years. Thomas is survived by his wife Clara, his three sons, Thomas, James and Sidney, their wives, and 13 grandchildren, Madison, Kristin, Michael, Winston, Anthony, Marcus, Nicholas, McKinley, and Thomas Patterson, Tim Jackson, Darius Jackson, Jamie Johnson, and Bryan Rich. He leaves three sisters, Nanna E. Patterson, Nona R. Patterson and Francine Ward, two brothers, Leland F. Patterson and wife Lori, and Robert F. Patterson and wife Eunice and is preceded by his sister Elexzina Assunda. "Pat also leaves several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many, many friends, including special friends Mary Jo Weston and Edith Swartz and of course his really special grandchild, "Little Bit" McKinley. All will mourn his passing. Funeral services 10:30 a.m. today at the Alpha Seventh Day Adventist Church. Interment in the Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio. (King-Tears Mortuary, Inc.)