Frank S. Pattee

Frank S. Pattee, a member of KU’s 1948 Orange Bowl team who lived in Lawrence most of his life, died Jan. 5 in Westlake Village, Calif. He was 86 years old and died a natural death surrounded by family.
He was born March 11, 1924, in Smith Center, Kan., the son of John W. and Addie Munson Pattee. He graduated from Smith Center High School and came to KU to play football for Coach George Sauer. He interrupted his education to serve during World War II, serving Stateside in the U.S. Naval Air Force before returning to the Hill as a student-athlete. Following the 1948 Orange Bowl game, he played for KU during the 1948 season, leading the team as captain.
Mr. Pattee earned his KU business degree in 1948 and began working in the oil industry for Cities Service Oil Co. For most of his career, he worked for the U.S. Department of Transportation, retiring in 1998 as a deputy regional director.
He married Betty Jo O’Neal on June 16, 1946, at KU’s Danforth Chapel. She died in 2008. Their son Thomas Pattee died in 1992.
Mr. Pattee is survived by a son, Frank Pattee Jr., Topeka; two daughters, Erin Brockovich, Agoura Hills, Calif., and Jodie Knight, Silver City, N.M.; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
The family have chosen to have a private burial in the spring, when they will bury Frank’s ashes at Pioneer Cemetery in Lawrence, Kan., beside B.J. and Tom, his wife and son.
Communications may be directed c/o Jodie Knight, 441 Red Rock Rd., Silver City, NM 88061 and jknight@aznex.net, and will be shared with the rest of the family.