Warren Frank Pattison

Warren F. Pat Pattison, a.k.a. Buddy died January 26, 2012. He is survived by his sister Marylyn Baer, wife Pam, daughter Kathy Smith, son Mark Pattison and their respective families. Pats five grand-daughters, Kimberly, Katie, Kerri Smith, and Claudette Emilia Pattison were the joy of his life.Pat was born and raised in Aberdeen, Washington. While growing up in Aberdeen, Pats best moments included hunting in the woods, making and spending time with childhood friends, attending St Marys Catholic School, and later attending Weatherwax High School, where he played football for the Weatherwax Bobcats and became student-body President. After high school, Pat attended Oregon State University where and became a life-long Beaver. With a few short stints at UW, Pat also learned to love the Washington Huskies. After graduating from Oregon State with a degree in Forestry, Pat spent the summer as a smoke jumper even though he never told his mom at the time. After a summer of jumping out of planes, Pat decided it was probably better to fly planes than to jump out of them! With his strong academics, Pat was pted into the US Air Force as a Pilot. During the 1950s Pat was stationed in France and flew many missions throughout Europe and Africa. Pat received his wings in 1956 after flying F-34s, T-28s, T-33s, B-25s and C-119s. Pat was very proud that he could travel throughout France with ease by knowing only French nouns and no verbs. Throughout his life Pat loved poetry and story-telling. His favorite poem was about flying:High Flight by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward Ive climbed and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hovring there Ive chased the shouting wind along and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious burning blue Ive topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace, Where never lark, or even eagle, flew; And, while with silent, lifting mind Ive trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.Once out of active duty Pat remained in the reserves and began to work with troubled youth at the local detention center. It was there that Pat met Pam - even though she was just visiting and the perfect angel. Soon after meeting, the happy couple got married on Halloween in 1959 and remained happily married for 52 years. After getting married Pat and Pam had their first child, Kathy, in 1960 and one year later Mark was born in 1961. While teaching in the Shoreline district and supporting his family Pat pursued his Masters degree in counseling at Seattle University.Pats pride and joy was his family and he loved camping, hiking, waterskiing, biking, gymnastics, football and attending church with them. Pat always enjoyed visiting the donut shop after mass each Sunday. Later in life Pat enjoyed visiting Montana and spending time talking to the Montana folk about fishing, hunting, and life on the ranch. Pat had many friends wherever he lived, including View Ridge in Seattle and Elm Place in Edmonds, where he was active in the homeowners group. Pat would often talk about his handball buddies and later his poker pals who got together every week for Wednesday night poker.At the high school where Pat was a teacher and counselor, he was credited with caring for students and never giving up on anyone. Pat would somehow find a way to reach the students on a level where he became their friend and trusted advisor. This applied in the classroom, after hours during counseling, and in the gym during sports. Later in life adults would approach Pat and recount stories of how he helped them get through high school and started in their careers.Pat and Pam always had a passion for traveling around the U.S. and just visiting small towns in Washington and Oregon where he loved to talk with the locals. Everyone seemed to know Pat everywhere he went.Pat always loved sports whether he was teaching Kathy gymnastics or throwing the football with Mark. At college games on the weekend Pat could be found wearing his Beaver shirt under his Husky jersey and one sock from each school. Pat was a great friend to many Huskies, and a long-time season ticket holder. Pat would often reminisce about attending several Rose Bowls and the Orange Bowl in the early 1980s to watch Mark and his teammates play.A highlight of Pats coaching career came later in life when he was an assistant coach for his granddaughter Claudettes volleyball team and they made it to the big championship. Pat rarely missed any of his grandkids sporting events. This was quite an accomplishment given he was traversing across the city between volleyball, lacrosse, and sor games almost year round.With Kings Elementary, Pat and Pam went on a mission to Mexico to help build houses. Even in Mexico Pat was able to connect with the locals and was completely selfless as he gave back to the community. Pat was also active in his bible study group and always had something to contribute, whether it was an insightful, heart-felt thought or banging out a tune on his harmonica. In the end, it can be said that Pat led a God Blessed life. Announcement: The family asks that in lieu of flowers that donations be sent in memory of Warren Pattison to: Joni and Friends International Disability Center at http://www.joniandfriends.org Or Kings Elementary School Financial Aid. Contact Kings at 206-289-7835.