Herman Lee Patterson, Jr

Herman Lee Patterson, Jr., Pat died peacefully Saturday, September 29th after a lengthy hospital stay in Bristol, TN. Pat grew up in Lynchburg, VA. He served the United States Air Force and was stationed in Seoul, Korea. Pat worked for Wackenhut Services Incorporated 40+ years in many capacities and was their longest serving employee. He spent 20 years at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida where he rose through the ranks from a security officer to the Chief of Security. He was the Project Manager at the Savannah River Nuclear Weapons site and served 21 years as the Project Manager of Fire and Security at the Holston Army Ammunition Plant locally. While working at Kennedy he received the highest award given to a civilian, the Snoopy Award, from NASA. Pat received his degree from Brevard Community College later in life while working full time. He was a member of the Baptist Church, the Kiwanis Club and an active volunteer for the National Kidney Foundation as he was a kidney transplant recipient. Pat enjoyed spending time with family, UT football, bluegrass, NASCAR and travel. He was known for his contagious sense of humor, leadership skills, compassion and integrity.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Linda Banks Patterson of Kingsport, TN; a daughter, Sterling Lee Patterson Oliver and husband, Philip D. Oliver and a grandson, Eli Patterson Oliver, all of Charlotte, NC; four sisters: Doris Bryant of Lynchburg, VA; Geraldine Hensley of Amherst, VA; Hazel Mays of Madison Heights, VA; Shirley Sandidge of Madison Heights, VA, and countless cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held noon to 2PM Wednesday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport.

Services will be conducted Wednesday at 2 PM at the funeral home with Reverend Andy Sensabaugh officiating.

The family requests donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Kidney Foundation of East Tennessee 4450 Walker Road, Suite 2, Knoxville, TN 37917-1523 and consideration be given for personal organ donation.