Houston Patterson

.Craig Houston Patterson Jr. passed away peacefully Thursday evening, Oct. 28, 2010, surrounded by his loving family, after a brief battle with lung cancer.He was born of missionary parents in Sutsien, China, on Dec. 17, 1924. Mr. Patterson was 85.He was preceded in death by his parents, Frances Glasgow and Craig Houston Patterson Sr. His wife of 54 years, Shirley Sprague Patterson, also preceded him in death in November 2009."Mr. Pat," as he was fondly known by the thousands of young men he taught, coached, mentored and "fathered," was a mathematics instructor, dean of students and associate headmaster at McCallie School during his 42 years at the school before his retirement in 1990. He was an alumnus of McCallie, having graduated in 1943.A naval officer in World War II, he left the profession of mechanical engineering early in his career to pursue his first love, teaching math. Mr. Pat designed and taught McCallies first college-level calculus course. A graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology, he performed graduate work at the University of Chattanooga and Vanderbilt University. Known as the father of McCallies outdoor program, Mr. Pat served as director of its wilderness program, director of the Academic Enrichment Camp, head coach of the varsity soccer team and dorm head. He also was an adviser to Keo-Kio, an organization to which he belonged while a student at McCallie. In 1996, the Houston Patterson Award was endowed, providing a significant vacation for a McCallie faculty recipient. In 2001, the Houston Patterson Scholarship was started, providing need-based financial aid annually to a deserving student. Mr. Pat had been a deacon at Central Presbyterian Church. At the time of his death, he was a member of Northside Presbyterian Church. He was a charter member of the Hamilton County Rescue Squad and a founding member of its cave and cliff rescue service. Following his retirement from McCallie, Mr. Pat had the opportunity to work with two of his former students in their businesses. He worked with Clint Folsom at the Seal Tech Space Division in Bessemer, Ala., as a mathematical consultant and computer programmer on a project of improving the precision in the machining of the space shuttles defective solid rocket booster. Following this, he developed computer programming for Signature Interior Woodwork Corp. in Summerville, Ga., owned by Mac Myers. He was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award by McCallie in 1988.Mr. Pat is survived by daughters, Nancy Patterson McCullough, Nashville, and Anne Patterson (Tom) Braly, Soddy-Daisy; brother, Robert (Jane) Patterson, Memphis; and sister, Anne Patterson Hammes, La Jolla, Calif. He also has five grandchildren, Anne (Jared) Butler; William Chandler McCullough, Nashville; Frances Katharine McLachlan, Point Reyes Station, Calif.; Laing (Todd) Pewitt, Nashville, and Taylor Myers McLachlan, Atlanta.There will be a celebration of Mr. Pats life on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, at 2 p.m. at the McCallie School chapel.A reception will follow at the McCallie School dining hall.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to McCallie School, 500 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37404.The family expresses their appreciation for his physicians and health-care workers for their care and support.Arrangements are being made by Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services on East Brainerd Road.There will be no visitation.Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort with the family.