Ian Thomson Patterson, Jr., of Ashburn, Va., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024 at 80 from dementia.

Mr. Patterson was born in San Luis Obispo, Calif., to Ian Thomson Patterson and Grace Miller Patterson. The family later moved to Hollywood, Fla., where Mr. Patterson attended South Broward High School. Mr. Patterson attended Stetson University in DeLand, Fla., where he met Glynis McHargue, whom he married in 1966. He received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, then later received a master's degree in Contract and Acquisition Management from Florida Institute of Technology and completed studies at the National War College.

Mr. Patterson was commissioned as a U.S. Army second lieutenant in 1966, launching his long military career and love of the Army, from which he retired as a colonel in 1994. He served in positions of increasing responsibility during a career that followed historic military events, including the war in Vietnam where he served one tour of duty. In 1979, Mr. Patterson was assigned as air defense advisor to the Imperial Iranian Air Force in Tehran when the Iranian government collapsed, and he helped ensure the safe and orderly evacuation of U.S. military personnel.

Mr. Patterson went on to serve as deputy chief of staff for the 101st Airborne Division in Kentucky and later commanded a HAWK missile battalion in Germany at the height of the Cold War. After the Persian Gulf War, Mr. Patterson directed the American staff responsible for Kuwait's post-war reconstruction. Mr. Patterson's last Army assignment from 1992 to 1994 was as commander of the Defense Supply Service, where he streamlined procurement and supply operations for the Department of Defense.

Mr. Patterson's military honors include: the Legion of Merit with four oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

After retiring from the Army in 1994, Mr. Patterson continued his Army service as the finance director for the Association of the United States Army and the Army Historical Foundation. Mr. Patterson joined the defense industry after military service and retired civilian life from ITT Corporation as vice president for government relations and domestic business development. Mr. Patterson was an avid golfer and a long-time member of Stoneleigh Golf Course in Round Hill, Va. He collected antique golf clubs and participated in Scottish cultural organizations. He and his wife, Glynis, enjoyed traveling and spending time with their family.

Mr. Patterson is survived by his wife of 58 years, Glynis McHargue Patterson; his daughter, Kristin Patterson Jones and her husband, John W. Jones, Jr.; his grandchildren, Truman Jones and Morgan Jones, all of Ashburn, Va.; and Bailey, his faithful Goldendoodle.

A funeral service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Feb. 26, 2025, at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer's Association and the Army Historical Foundation.