Colonel Patrick Henry Whitfield, Jr., peacefully departed this life on January 7, 2025, at Sentara Hospital in Hampton, VA. He was born on May 3, 1928, in Ahoskie, NC, to the late Patrick and Annie Whitfield.
As the firstborn son, “Pat Jr” was what his parents, brothers, and sisters fondly called him. Patrick and his siblings were raised in a Christian home and actively participated in worship at the Mount Hermon Baptist Church, Portsmouth, VA where he accepted Christ as his Savior and exhibited his true calling in life as a leader and guiding light of the family. He exhibited early leadership skills with his Boy Scouts Troop. He assisted in developing his parent’s business,” Pat’s Confectionary,” in Portsmouth, VA. He graduated from IC Norcom High School in Portsmouth, VA, in the Class of 1944. He later graduated from Hampton Institute (University) in 1948 with a B.S. degree in Pre-Medical Science with a Major in Chemistry and a Minor in Biology. He was also the highest-ranked member of the “First ROTC Class” established at Hampton University. He was inducted into the Hampton University ROTC Hall of Fame in 1970, a testament to his exceptional leadership skills.
Patrick was commissioned with the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Coast Artillery Corps and assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg (Fort Liberty), NC, after graduation from Hampton University. He then served in Taegu, Korea, from 1951 to 1953 and served with Missile Artillery Units at Ft Meade, MD (1st tour), Ft Bliss, TX, and Ft Hood, TX, as well as service with the Inspector General Office in Poitiers, France, during the 1961/1962 Berlin Crisis. Colonel Whitfield subsequently served as Commander of the 4th Missile Defense Battalion in Fort Richardson, Alaska, from February 1965 through February 1968 and later served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics in Long Bihn, Vietnam, where he was promoted
to Colonel, before rotating to serve as Senior Managing Officer for Logistics Support Units at Fort Monroe, VA in 1969, later transferred to Fort McPherson, GA (1973) and then Fort Meade, MD retiring in June 1979 as Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics. After he retired from Military Service, he worked as a Management Consultant with the Manpower Agency and with Crable and Associates in Columbia, MD, through 1985. His Military Awards included the Army Commendation Medal and the Legion of Merit (1st Oak Leaf Cluster). As an example of his Exemplary Military Career, Andrew Mellon, during an Army Post Tour, was impressed with how Colonel Whitfield (a Captain at the time) instructed soldiers in his Command that he gave a sizable check to Hampton University in honor of Captain Patrick H Whitfield Jr.
Colonel Whitfield was not just a military man, but also a dedicated member of his community. He was married to Mattie Jean Moore (Gilliam) from 1953 to 1982, and four children were born from their marriage. He later married Nellie Oglesby Herbin on September 17, 1991, in Hampton, VA, where they resided after their marriage. Colonel Whitfield was a Tuskegee Airman Commemorative Program member and participated in many of their Support Activities. In addition, he joined the Hampton University Boosters, showing his commitment to the local community. He traveled to football game trips classics such as the Heritage Bowl in Atlanta, GA, the Whitney Young classic versus Grambling University in the Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey, and Howard University games at RFK stadium in Washington, DC.
Colonel Whitfield’s love for his family was unwavering. He was a congenial host of social gatherings with military colleagues and spouses, neighbors, family, and friends. He often enjoyed grilling food for everyone’s enjoyment, playing card games, and listening to music from his
favorite jazz and popular musicians. His dedication to his children’s endeavors was unparalleled, and his loved ones cherished and treasured his guidance, advice, and demonstration of love for his family. Colonel Whitfield was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick and Annie Whitfield, and siblings Royal (RC), Jean, Lloyd (Tom), and Cornell.
Colonel Whitfield leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Nellie O. Herbin Whitfield of Hampton, VA; children, Karen Whitfield Chambers, Kevin Whitfield of Alexandria, VA, Kathy Whitfield of Laurel, MD, and Kim Chapman (Dean) of Atlanta, GA; sisters, Florence Whitfield (Argyle) and Jacqueline McCray of Chesapeake, VA; stepchildren, Aubrey Don Herbin (Regina) of Atlanta, GA, Nicole Herbin of Hampton, VA and Vanessa Herbin-Wong (Ben) of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of other family relatives and friends, including his “Special Caretaker” Donnell Tillman.
United States Honor Guard
The family of Colonel Patrick Henry Whitfield, Jr. extends our heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support during this time of loss. Your kindness has been a great comfort to us as we celebrate the life of an extraordinary man who touched so many lives.
May God bless each of you for your expressions of sympathy and acts of kindness.
With deepest appreciation, The Whitfield Family