Larry Richard Patlis Patterson

Larry Richard Patlis Patterson died peacefully on February 3, 2016 surrounded in love by his family. He was 71. Larry was born in Hendersonville, NC on March 24, 1944. He was a graduate of Hendersonville High School and began college at Clemson University as a member of the Clemson University Tiger Band. Larry later transferred to UNC Chapel Hill where he received a bachelor's degree in business administration. After college, Larry served as a Captain in the United States Air Force and later settled in Nashville, Tennessee where he worked for many years in aeronautical education and curriculum instruction. A constant learner, Larry received an associate’s degree in accounting, a master's degree in aerospace education, an EdS in curriculum and instruction, and ultimately, a doctorate degree in education. Larry’s hooding ceremony and realizing his lifelong goal of earning a doctoral degree was one of his proudest moments. Larry was predeceased by his parents, Doris and Ed Patterson of Hendersonville, NC and his sister Betty of Charlottesville, VA. He is survived by his daughter Shari Patterson Williams, her husband Ken and their sons Alex and Jacob of Nashville, TN and by his daughter Jennifer Patterson Fletcher, her husband Donovan, their daughter Haily and her son Parker of Fletcher, NC. Larry is also survived by his brothers Alan of Fond du Lac, WI and Bob of Glendale, AZ. Nothing brought Larry more pride and joy than his children and grandchildren. In fact, even strangers knew the achievements of his family, as he often shared their news with nearly everyone he encountered. Larry will be missed, but the legacy he left behind in his family will carry on. Most of all, Larry would want people to be kind to one another, show compassion for animals, and never stop learning. A celebration of Larry’s life will be held in Hendersonville, NC on March 26, 2016. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the American Indian College Fund, 8333 Greenwood Blvd., Denver, CO 80221 (800.776.3863) or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 424 E. 92nd Street, New York, NY 10128-6804 (800.628.0028) or go to https://www.aspca.org/secure/memorial?ms=wb_lpf_waystogive-teaser&initialms=wb_lpf_waystogive-teaser&pcode=WEBMEMORY to donate.