John Malcolm Patterson

John Malcolm Patterson (September 27, 1921 – June 4, 2021) was an American politician. He was the 44th Governor of the U.S. state of Alabama.[1] He served as governor from 1959 to 1963. Patterson was a member of the Democratic Party.

John Malcolm Patterson
John Malcolm Patterson.jpg
44th Governor of Alabama
In office
January 19, 1959 – January 14, 1963
LieutenantAlbert Boutwell
Preceded byJim Folsom
Succeeded byGeorge Wallace
Attorney General of Alabama
In office
January 17, 1955 – January 19, 1959
GovernorJim Folsom
Preceded byBernard Sykes
Succeeded byMacDonald Gallion
Personal details
Born(1921-09-27)September 27, 1921
Goldville, Alabama, U.S.
DiedJune 4, 2021(2021-06-04) (aged 99)
Goldville, Alabama, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic Party
Spouse(s)
  • Gladys Broadwater
    (m. 1942; div. 1945)
  • Mary Jo McGowin
    (m. 1947; div. 1975)
  • Tina Sawyer (m. 1975)
Alma materUniversity of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army seal United States Army
Years of service1939–1945
1951–1953
RankUS-O4 insignia.svg Major
Battles/warsWorld War II
Korean War

Patterson ran with the support of the Ku Klux Klan when he won the Governorship of Alabama in 1958.[2]

Patterson was born in Goldville, Alabama. He died on June 4, 2021 in Goldville, aged 99.[3][4]

References

  1. "John Patterson: In the Wake of the Assassins". Archived from the original on 2013-07-18. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  2. Mccabe, Daniel (writer, director, producer), Paul Stekler (writer, director, producer), Steve Fayer (writer). George Wallace: Settin' the Woods on Fire [Documentary]. Boston, USA: American Experience.
  3. "Former Alabama Gov. John Patterson dies at 99". WSFA. June 5, 2021. https://www.wsfa.com/2021/06/05/former-alabama-gov-john-patterson-dies-99/. Retrieved June 6, 2021. 
  4. McFadden, Robert D. (June 5, 2021). "John M. Patterson, Segregationist Alabama Governor, Dies at 99". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/05/us/politics/john-patterson-dead.html. Retrieved June 6, 2021. 


Preceded by
David P. Buckson
Oldest living American governor
January 18, 2017 – June 4, 2021
Succeeded by
Al Quie