Colonel Raydean Patterson

Raydean Patterson, 90, of Reston, VA, and Port Ludlow, WA, died peacefully on December 28, 2025, from complications of a Vietnam War wound. He is survived by his sons, Michael Patterson (Mary Jo Monahan) of Reston, VA, and Jeffrey Patterson (Kristi Kerzie) of Eatonville, WA.

He is also survived by four grandchildren: Molly Patterson Cutler (Scott Cutler) of Des Moines, IA, daughter of Michael and Mary Jo Patterson; and Nicholas, Chloe, and Samuel Patterson of Eatonville, WA, children of Jeffrey and Kristi Patterson. He leaves two great-grandsons, Wilbur and Roy Cutler.

Born and raised in Galena, MO, Raydean was the son of the late Raymond and Geraldine Patterson. With his father serving as Stone County School Superintendent, and his mother as the high school principal, he excelled academically and on the basketball court. He graduated from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, where he majored in chemistry, joined ROTC and Kappa Alpha, and played center for the Bears varsity basketball team. There he met Meretta Maze, whom he married in 1958 at First Baptist Church in Columbia, MO.

Commissioned as a U.S. Army officer, Raydean served for more than 26 years, retiring as a colonel in June 1983. He began in artillery, then became a fixed-wing and helicopter pilot. His overseas assignments included Orleans, France, with the 2nd Aviation Company—the Otters—and two tours in Vietnam: first in 1965–67 with the 145th Combat Aviation Battalion, 118th Assault Helicopter Company, and again in 1970–71 as commanding officer of Company A, 158th Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division—the Ghostriders. A serious combat wound ended his second tour, followed by more than a year of recovery at Tripler Army Hospital. During his Army career, he moved his family more than 30 times, with longer stays in Washington, DC; San Rafael, CA; and Dothan, AL. His decorations included the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, and multiple Air Medals.

Family was the center of Raydean’s life. He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who treasured visits with relatives in Missouri and welcomed friends and guests into every home. Deep in faith and trust in the Lord, he often served as a deacon in local Baptist churches.

After retiring from the Army, Raydean and his family lived in Honolulu, HI, where he became an OSHA instructor for the State of Hawaii, teaching occupational safety and helping prevent workplace injuries and enforcement penalties. In 2000 they moved to Port Ludlow, WA, where they lived for more than 18 years, and in 2018 they moved to Reston, VA, to be closer to Michael and Mary Jo.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Reston, VA, on September 21. On September 22, Raydean will be buried with full military funeral honors at Arlington National Cemetery beside his wife, Meretta, who died in 2024. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John Neumann https://www.saintjn.org/  or Caring for Military Families, a program of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/

We sincerely hope you will join Mary Jo, Molly, Scott, and me, Mike, in honoring Dad on Monday, September 21, 2026 for Raydean’s funeral Mass at 11am at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston, VA. Immediately following Mass, a luncheon will be served for family and friends in the church fellowship hall.

We hope that you will also join us on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 for Raydean’s burial at 11am at Arlington National Cemetery. My dad will be buried with Full Military Funeral Honors. He will join his wife, Meretta “Mickey” Patterson who was buried at Arlington in 2024. Following the burial, a luncheon reception for family and friends will be held in the Sargent Major Room at Spates Hall at Joint Base Meyer-Henderson Hall, 214 McNair Road, Fort Myer, VA 22211.