Colonel Patricia S. Blassie (USAF retired), 67, passed away on July 8, 2026 following a
long and courageous struggle with cancer. Her greatest Joy was in her Lord, Jesus
Christ, and she spent her life reflecting that love to everyone around her.
Born August 17, 1958 in St. Louis, Missouri, Patricia enlisted in the United States Air
Force immediately after high school. She served 11 years before being commissioned
and eventually retired as a full-bird Colonel. She served with exemplary character,
dedication and integrity for 40 years.
Patricia was blessed with many gifts and gave GOD all the glory for all of her
accomplishments. She was the family’s eloquent spokesperson for our brother, 1st Lt.
Michael J. Blassie and our family’s story of the incredible 26-year journey to bring
Michael home from Vietnam via the Tomb of the Unknown. She was also an ardent
voice for our Missing and our Unaccounted For and their families.
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents George C. Blassie and Jean F. Blassie,
brother 1st Lt. Michael J. Blassie, and brother-in-law G.T. Cozad.
Patricia is survived by her sister Judith A. Cozad, sister Mary E. Hart (Jerry), brother
George J. Blassie (Cindy) and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Patricia
Blassie’s name to the American Cancer Society.
Services: Graveside services will be held on Monday August 10, 2026 at 10:30am at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to the Burial Service, take Telegraph Road to Sheridan Road to a large parking lot, which is Sylvan Springs Upper Parking Lot behind Silver Springs Automotive Shop on the left.
A service of Kutis Funeral Home, City Chapel, 2906 Gravois Ave., 63118
I worked with her dad at McHenry Meat as a driver I bought my first house from her mother in 1977 I never meet her but I remember stories about her brother Mike that was a missing in action soldier from Vietnam
God Speed R.I.P. Colonel!!!
I served with Col Blassie when she was Commander at the Air Reserve Personnel Center. I was the unit historian, and Col Blassie took great interest in preserving our unit’s accomplishments. She strongly supported a Heritage Hall project, with photographs, artifacts and posters that highlighted our 60 years of operations. She proudly told her brother’s story, and kept his memory alive and real. Whenever anyone at ARPC was promoted or retired, Col Blassie always sent them a personal note that ended with, “A Proud Salute!”
May God bless her family and friends at this sad time.
I’m so sorry to hear this, she was such a wonderful lady, I worked with Col. Blassie several times years ago in the 94th airlift wing at Dobbins when she was the public affairs officer, I always enjoyed talking to her, she was just a wonderful person.
May she rest in peace, she will be missed by all that knew her., God Bless.
Served with her at Dobbins ARB and she was a delight to work with. I followed her career after that and emailed with her often.
W..D.Godfrey
The Bien Hoa Air Base (BHAB) Veterans Association is grateful to count Patricia among our honorary members. We first learned of her while researching Air Force Academy graduates who were killed in Vietnam. During that research, we came across her brother, Lt. Michael Blassie, who was flying an A-37 from BHAB when he was shot down. A document in his file mentioned that he had a sister named Patricia, and after some further research, we were able to find her address and phone number. We contacted her to ask if she would serve as the keynote speaker at our 2017 reunion. Patricia graciously accepted and delivered one of the most memorable presentations we have ever had, speaking about Michael, how he came to be interred in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the Vietnam War, and the family’s efforts to have his remains exhumed and identified. She returned to every reunion after that until her health declined. We embraced her as one of our sisters, and she was loved by all her BHAB brothers and sisters.
I concur with Rick’s witness. I remembered vividly the incident where her brother was lost in the Viet Nam War, when I was a seventeen year old heading to an Air Force career. I was thus thrilled to meet her and hear her speak at Bien Hoa Air Base reunions.
Col Blassie hired me as her public affairs officer at ARPC in 2012. I travelled with her to several chamber of commerce and community events where she fobdly talked about her brother. She would always bring a suitcase of some of his things recovered from his fateful mission. She was an amazing woman, leader, and mentor. I am a better person for knowing her. Much love to her family.
Heard Pat speak a couple times at our WW2 Round Table about her brother lost in Vietnam. She was an incredible woman never to be forgotten…
Col Blassie was one of a kind and left quite an impression on ARPC. I had about five commanders there and she was the only one to do Blues Mondays (in all weather), open rank inspections, mandatory group PT and even formation runs! She certainly made my first stat tour memorable! I remember one time I escorted her to an event nearby. After dropping her off I misjudged my timeframe and left briefly. When I returned for her, stood at parade rest next to the the car for what felt like an hour, I and finally realized she had already left and walked back. I was mortified but she was so gracious and laughed it off. May she rest in peace.
What a loss to The AF community. I worked with her prior to our deployment to the first Gulf War. Before our deployment she brought the TV crew from Atlanta to my home to interview my family and I. She kept telling me ” You can’t say that” as the TV guy would ask me questions about our deployment. She knew her job for sure.That turned into a circus and we laughed about it afterwards. She was a wonderful lady and a credit to the Air Force. She will be missed. May she rest in peace.
Pat Blassie was the consummate professional in her role as chief public affairs at Dobbins during my tenure as the Vice Wing Commander 1994 – 1997. She was very innovate in ensuring our Air Force and it’s people were portrayed in an uplifting manner. Forty years truly a record of impeccable service! I shall always have fond memories of her.
We are very sad to hear of Colonel Blassie’s passing. She was a wonderful person, and friend. We knew Pat for more than 28 years. It was our honor to be part of the team that used DNA analysis to help identify her brother, Michael. We stayed in touch over the years, including attending her 20-year celebration of Michael’s identification in 2018, where she met our youngest son, and they immediately bonded. She was always kind and loving, and we will miss her dearly.
It was my honor to serve with Pat at Dobbins Air Force Base, Georgia. She was the chief public affairs officer there. Later , I had the honor to participate in the escort of her deceased brother Michael from Dover Air Force Base to Scott Air Force Base for burial in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Pat was passionate about her faith in Christ and she loved others extremely well. It was an honor to call her a good friend.
Patricia was an honorary member of the A-37 Association as her brother Michael flew the A-37B out of Bien Hoa AB when he was shot down in May 1972. She told her family’s story at our reunion at Fort Walton Beach, FL in May 2022., one of the more gripping presentations ever made at one of our gatherings.
Our condolences to her family. May she rest in peace.
Colonel Pat Blassie was an honorary member of the USAFA Class of 1970, her brother Mike’s class, and was our guest of honor at the 50th reunion.
She brought light and love to everyone and everything she touched. We will carry on her wish.
I had the of being Colonel Blassie,’s executive secretary at the Air Reserve Personnel Center.. She was such a kind, loving, caring leader, but most of all a friend. We had many wonderful conversations about her brother, Michael. She did so much to bring him home. Talked about our families.. We shared the love for our families and the love of the Lord. I know she is no longer suffering and happy to be with her mom and dad or brother and all her family. Love and miss you, Colonel Blassie.
My wife, Victoria and I , are deeply saddened by the loss of Patricia. I flew in the 8th Special Ops Sqn. with Michael and was there when he was shot down on May 11, 1972. Twenty-six years later, when his remains were identified as having been placed in the Tomb of the Unknown-Vietnam, I got in touch with Patricia at Warner Robbins AFB. From that meeting we became wonderful friends even spending time in one another’s home. While we will miss her until our last breath, we know how strong her faith was and that she and her family are happily together again and her pain and suffering are in her past. She will always be in our hearts.
I had the honor of serving with Pat when we were both Sergeants in the 932d AAG (now AW) at Scott AFB. She is a most amazing soul.
To the Family of Colonel Patricia S. Blassie:
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Colonel Patricia S. Blassie.
I first met Colonel Blassie around 1993 at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, when she was Captain Blassie. From the beginning, she treated me as a friend. She was always pleasant to be around and a genuine joy to work with. Later, when she was assigned to Twenty-Second Air Force, we had the privilege of working together again.
I will always remember her warm smile, gracious spirit, and the many pleasant conversations we shared. I was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of her passing. She touched my life through her friendship and kindness, and I will truly miss her.
May God comfort and strengthen your family during this difficult time and give you peace as you cherish the wonderful memories of her life and legacy.
With deepest sympathy,
Chief Master Sergeant Gary R. Brisbane, USAFR (Retired)
I met Patricia at Aviano AB, Italy. She came to speak at our Memorial Day ceremony in 1999 – we were at war, the Air War Over Serbia. She spoke while our F-16s were taking off on combat missions. She was a major, I was a 1* wing commander but she…outranked me in a righteous way.
A strong, powerful woman who served selflessly and did her brother Michael’s legacy justice.
May God bless her soul and hold his servant in his loving arms.
Thank you for your faithful witness to our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Pat was awesome! I had many opportunities to work with and to serve with her! We met at Dobbins, then again in Washington DC and again at Robins where we both retired. She was the epitome of positivity, I’m so sorry she’s passed.