Larry Truman Patterson was born on December 29, 1942, and grew up in Snyder, Texas. He began his studies at Texas Tech University in 1962 and graduated with a BBA in Marketing in 1964. During his college years, he was active in intramural football. In September of 1967, he arrived in Vietnam as a 2nd lieutenant with the 1st Battalion, 40th Artillery. His unit operated near the Demilitarized Zone and Patterson served as a forward observer, fire detection officer, and executive officer forthe unit. While in Vietnam, he earned a Bronze Star. After leaving Vietnam in August of 1968, he returned to TTU for his graduate studies while serving in the Army reserve for six more years. In 1969, he graduated with an MBA, and in 1976 he earned his Ph.D. in Marketing with a minor in Economics and Statistics. He is married to Kathie Crooks Patterson and has two children: Pamela Sadler and Matthew Patterson.
