Patrick Eugene Pickett, Lt. Colonel, U.S.A.F. (Ret.), age 85 died Monday, June 17, 2013 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Lake City, surrounded and supported by his loving family and care givers.He was born on March 17, 1928 in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Hurdie and Mary Margaret (Pickering) Pickett. At age 6, the family moved to Lancaster, Ohio where he attended school and graduated from Lancaster High School in 1946. He attended Oklahoma A & M, Stillwater, Oklahoma, graduating in 1953 with a BA in Geography. In 1978, he received a MA in Counseling Psychology from Chapman College, Orange, California.He had a distinguished military career as a meteorologist spanning over thirty years. this began with an enlistment in the U.S. Navy. Following Officer's School, he joined the U.S. Air Force, retiring in August, 1978. At the time he retired, he was serving as a liaison officer between the Air Force Global Weather Center, Monterey, California. He loved the military and traveled to many corners of our world, never ceasing to sing the praises of our great country. He was a man of integrity, honor and everlasting loyalty.After retiring from the Air Force, he was employed by the Florida Department of Corrections, retiring in 1990. After retirement for the second time, he taught part-time at Lake City Community College.He is preceded in death by both parents and two brothers, Thomas and James Pickett.He is survived by his wife of 40 years Ann Pickett of Lake City and daughter Patti Pickett of Orlando, Florida.A special thank you to the staff of the Community Living Center 3 Unit for the love and care shown during the past five years.A memorial service will be held at 11:00 on July 12, 2013 at Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3596 South U.S. Hwy 441, Lake City, Florida 32025, (386) 752-1954. The family has asked in lieu of flowers, that donations may be made to the or a . Please leave words of love and comfort for the family online at www.gatewayforestlawn.com