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Meet Jerry
On November 5, 2002 Jerry Patterson was elected to become the 27th Commissioner of the General Land Office. He has already pledged to seek re-election to the office in 2006.
Born in Houston, Texas on November 15, 1946 Jerry Patterson served his country as a U.S. Marine for over twenty years and as a state senator for six. As senator from District 11, Patterson?s major legislative successes included passage of the historic concealed handgun law, a constitutional amendment allowing home equity lending, the state coastal management plan and the creation of the Texas State Veterans Home Program.
He earned a reputation as a no-nonsense but determined voice for individual freedom and constitutional rights. He also worked diligently to honor his fellow veterans.Patterson graduated Texas A&M, Class of 1969 and received his commission in the United States Marine Corps. In 1972 he volunteered for duty in Vietnam. He was later designated as a Naval Flight Officer at Pensacola, Florida and served in Marine fighter squadrons until his retirement from the Marine Corps Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1993.
Jerry and his wife Jennifer reside in Austin. Commissioner Patterson has four children, twins Samantha and Cole, born in 2004, Emily and Travis. His daughter Emily is an attorney in Houston. His son Travis is a graduate of Texas A&M, where he was commissioned as a Marine Lieutenant. He now serves on active duty as a U.S. Marine attack helicopter pilot.