John "Jack" Clark Patchett

Jack was born March 10, 1931, in Ash Hill, Missouri, to William Lynch Patchett and Barbara Flossie (Stokes) Patchett. He was one of eight siblings.

Jack grew up in St. Louis and was a skilled baseball player whose talents took him to the University of Missouri, where he played in the outfield and helped the Tigers reach the 1952 College World Series, finishing as runners-up to College of the Holy Cross.

Jack earned his engineering degree and completed his ROTC coursework at Mizzou and shortly after was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Jack spent two and a half years in Korea at the tail-end of the Korean War, primarily helping organize the transfer of U.S. military equipment and ordinance. He continued to serve his country in the U.S. Army Reserve until 1965, retiring as a captain.

After his active-duty service ended, Jack returned to Kansas City Missouri and began a career as a civil engineer at a private engineering firm. He later took a civil servant position with the U.S. Air Force.

In 1957, he met the love of his life, Susan Chappell. Sue and Jack became friends when Sue was working as a secretary at the engineering firm where Jack worked. Early on in their friendship, she repeatedly tried to set him up with some of her friends. After a while, Jack informed Sue he was not interested in any more setups and admitted it was her that he wanted.

Jack and Sue married on April 15, 1961. They were so excited to wed that they crossed state lines into Oklahoma to elope.

Jack and Sue had two children, Jeff and Jenny, while living in Kansas City. The family moved to Colorado in 1970 when Jack was transferred to Colorado Springs.

In his career with the Air Force, Jack eventually became the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Air Force Academy in charge of civil engineering -- a position he was immensely proud of. He retired in 1991.

Jack and Sue remained married for 48 years until Sue passed away in 2009.

But the most important role Jack played in his life was that of father to Jeff and Jenny and grandfather to his six grandchildren: Michael, Jonathan and Daniel, the sons of Jeff and his wife Carolyn; and Ryan, Zachary and Kaitlyn, Jenny’s children with her husband Jeff Hillstrom. Along with his grandchildren, he was ecstatic about having six great grandchildren.

He is survived by his sister, Phyllis Lawson of St. Charles, Mo.

Jack developed deep connections with his dogs, a Springer Spaniel named Henry and later a Great Dane named Greta. Both held special places in his heart.

Jack was an exceedingly loyal person, as was evidenced by his unwavering support for the Colorado Rockies, whom Jack continued to cheer for through countless years of underwhelming performances.

Jack will be profoundly missed by those who knew and loved him. However, his quick wit, colossal heart, selflessness, and unwavering integrity will never be forgotten.

A private service will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelofMemoriesfh.com for the Patchett family.