John D. Patten, resident of Wilson, Louisiana, known as Captain Patten to most and “Colonel” to others passed on to blue skies on October 27, 2022, at the age of 82. Captain Patten flew for Delta Air Lines for 31 years and retired as a senior captain of Delta’s flagship at the time, the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar. He loved Delta Air Lines and he flew many of their airplanes starting out on the DC-6, DC-7 as well as the DC-9 and 727. He worked in the training department for four years until his heart called him back to flying. Evergreen, Alabama, was his home but the desire to fly took him to Pensacola, Florida and he soloed in Milton, Florida. While flying for the Florida Development Commission in Tallahassee, Florida, he met the love of his life Patricia, Pat for short. Then Uncle Sam called him for duty and he served in Viet Nam flying helicopters and was an air traffic controller. After living in New Orleans, he yearned for the country and moved his family to East Feliciana Parish. He never gave up his love of flying and always loved to talk about his airplanes, a PT-17 Stearman and a motor glider. He rebuilt the Stearman and he enjoyed telling people that he flew with the buzzards. He was awarded the Master Airman Award by the FAA. He will surely be missed by those that knew him. He leaves behind his wife of 57 years Pat, and loving son Ashley and daughter-in-law Nicki, and grandson, James Michael, and Brother Captain Joe Patten. Preceded before him were his parents, Eugene and Eula Mae Patten, a son, Michael E. Patten, two brothers, Herman and William Patten. Visitation will be held at Wilson Community Church on November 1, 2022, from 10 AM until 12 PM with the service starting at 12 PM. Burial will be held at the Eastern Star Cemetery in Wilson.