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Specialist Fifth Class John Tibor Pataky

Black and white head and shoulder's photograph of Pataky in uniform.
  • Unit: Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Europe
  • Date of Birth: March 12, 1932
  • Entered the Military: April 18, 1955
  • Date of Death: September 13, 2022
  • Hometown: Orlando, Florida
  • Place of Death: Lookout Mountain, Georgia
  • Award(s): Good Conduct Medal
  • Cemetery: Section DD, Site 1047. Chattanooga National Cemetery, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Contributed by Marco Ferri and George Pfefferkorn
Mentored by Dr. Duke Richey
McCallie School
2024-2025

Early Life

On March 12, 1932, about a year before Franklin Delano Roosevelt was sworn into office after promising Americans a “new deal,” a French-born American mother named Ellen Pataky gave birth to a boy at the Orlando Sanitorium and Hospital in Florida. The Depression was in full swing, and Ellen’s young husband, a Hungarian immigrant and artist named Tibor, gave his name to his son, Janos Tibor Pataky. 

Like many first-generation Americans, Janos likely grew up feeling like an outsider. Not only did his parents speak English with strong accents, but his mother was a Christian Scientist, and a concert pianist in an age when many Americans of her generation had turned to jazz. His father, Tibor, struggled to make ends meet, growing oranges and teaching art at Florida Southern College. At some point, young Janos, an athletic boy, became known as John. 

Pataky’s childhood was not easy. At one point, a live oak limb fell from a tree and hit his father’s shoulder, making it hard for him to paint. Another time, his sister Mary, five years younger, fell down some steps and big brother got the blame, accused of having pushed her.  

In 1945, an admissions officer from The McCallie School, a military boarding school in Chattanooga, Tennessee, found his way 560 miles south to Orlando, where he must have met with willing listeners in young Pataky and his family. 

The McCallie School clearly sounded appealing, and young John Pataky, 13 years old, enrolled as a sophomore in September 1945. He spent five years at McCallie: two sophomore years, a junior year, a senior year in 1949, and a postgraduate year ending in 1950. Then, at age 18, Pataky left McCallie for the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). 

Little might he have imagined on that first nervous day on “the Ridge,” as McCallie’s campus was known, that upon his death 77 years later in 2022, at the age of 90, Pataky would not only be an alumnus of the school, he would also be considered one of the most legendary teachers and coaches the school had ever known.

Birth Certificate with a gold seal.
John was born Janos Tibor Pataky in 1932. Courtesy of Debbie Pataky.
A painting of a women wearing a colorful dress.
John’s father, Tibor, was a professional artist. In 1931, he painted “Allegorical Portrait of Ellen Pataky.” In the painting, Ellen is on the beach by the ocean, proudly displaying her wedding ring. Tibor Pataky, Rollings Museum of Art, 1931.
Three head and shoulders school photographs of John Patasky side-by-side.
John’s schoolboy pictures, 1938-1941. Courtesy of Debbie Pataky.

Homefront

Pataky’s childhood home of Orlando is a city known today for its world-famous theme parks, which bring millions of visitors annually. But during Pataky’s lifetime, Orlando grew from a relatively sleepy town of roughly 30,000 people, surrounded by fields of orange groves, into a sprawled metropolitan area of millions. 

Pataky was a child of the Depression and World War II years when the Orlando region’s agricultural production included beef and dairy cattle, poultry, and vegetables, all of which contributed to the food supply for military and civilian needs. Florida was mainly known for its production of citrus fruits, such as oranges, which were key to the state’s economy. 

In the years Pataky attended McCallie, Orlando experienced rapid growth as the area’s population increased when returning World War II Veterans and their families settled there, spurring housing developments and boosting local businesses. Orlando’s infrastructure expanded with new roads, schools, and public facilities, creating a more suburban environment where there had once been aromatic fields of oranges. Pataky’s military records noted that he worked for the Studebaker Corporation in Orlando for one summer, reflecting the new demand for cars.

A picture of a little boy standing in front of a plane on a beach.
Seen here at the beach as a child, John became fascinated with the ocean and was a champion swimmer and a lifelong scuba diver. Courtesy of Debbie Pataky.
Postcard of Orlando showing Angebilt Hotel and Rutland's department store.
One of the main street’s in Pataky’s hometown of Orlando, Orange Avenue, was named for the area’s main agricultural product. Orange News Company, 1940s.
A photograph of a McCallie track uniform with an inset picture of John Pataky wearing that uniform.
John Pataky and his McCallie track uniform, 1940s. Pataky would later go on to coach at the school for decades. Courtesy of Duke Richey.

Military Experience

It is worth noting that John Pataky wore a military uniform and marched in formation from the time he was 13 years old at McCallie all the way through college ROTC and straight into the U.S. Army. Over the years at McCallie, he rose in rank from private to captain on a battalion staff during his final year. In his junior year, Pataky was a member of the “Best Drilled Company.” 

He also served on the Student Council and played multiple sports, including track and field, and swimming. It was no surprise that he was a member of the French Club, given that his mother spoke the language when he was growing up. Pataky’s widow, Debbie, laughed later when asked if he ever spoke French: “He could swear in French,” she said.

After graduating from McCallie, Pataky attended Georgia Tech, just two hours south of Chattanooga. His years at Tech were formative, as he immersed himself in academics and campus life. He was an active member of Sigma Chi and Alpha Phi Omega, two fraternities that emphasized leadership, service, and brotherhood. Additionally, he contributed to The Engineer, a technical publication on campus, demonstrating his intellectual curiosity and dedication to the field of mathematics and engineering. 

During his time in Atlanta, Pataky met Alice Keel, a student at Emory University and the daughter of Georgia Tech’s assistant registrar. John and Alice married in 1954, and a newspaper article that announced their marriage noted that he had “received notice of induction into the armed forces.” As a student, Pataky had risen to the rank of first lieutenant in Tech’s ROTC unit and, in addition to swimming for the Ramblin’ Wreck, he had participated in what was called the “Pershing Rifles,” a drill team. Pataky graduated from Georgia Tech in 1955. Pataky officially entered the U.S. Army Reserves on April 18, 1955. 

After receiving stenographer training at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, Pataky became a specialist second class (E-5) but was promoted from corporal to specialist third class. He was a stenographer, a “classified control clerk,” meaning that when he went to Germany, he handled classified material and managed classified records. 

Though stationed in Europe rather than in Korea, Pataky served his country with distinction, receiving the Good Conduct Medal for his service, where he also sometimes served as a French interpreter. His time in the military was significant not only for his contribution to national defense but also for his growing commitment to youth mentorship. 

While in France, Pataky became deeply involved with the Boy Scouts of America, likely working with the sons of American servicemen stationed abroad. He led young scouts on excursions and summer camp experiences. This experience may have been the spark that ignited his passion for mentoring young men, a passion that would define his career upon his military discharge in 1962 and return to the United States.

Full length photograph of John Pataky saluting in a Boy Scout uniform.
Pataky became a Boy Scout and was involved in Scouts while on duty in Europe, which may have inspired his future career working with young men in an educational setting. Courtesy of Debbie Pataky.
Postcard showing five different views of a camp.
During the Korean era and through the wider Cold War, the families of American servicemen in places like Germany, relished sending their sons to a Boy Scout facility known as Camp Freedom. John Pataky served at this camp, in Dautphe, Germany, while in the military. Campers joked that the cold and rain made the place “Damp Freezum.” Ansichtskarten-Center.
Pataky was honorably discharged from military service in 1962.Portions have been redacted for privacy reasons. Courtesy of Debbie Pataky.

Veteran Experience

Upon his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1962, Pataky returned to McCallie as a teacher and coach. He dedicated more than 50 years to the school, making an impact in both the classroom and the athletic arena. As a teacher of mathematics, he was known for his patience, humor, and ability to make complex concepts accessible to students. His love for the subject was infectious, and many of his students credited him with inspiring their own careers in STEM fields or in education and coaching.

As a cross country, track, and swimming coach, Pataky stacked up winning records and championships, and he was revered. He had a quiet but effective leadership style that pushed his athletes to reach their full potential while maintaining a kind and encouraging presence. He believed that sports were not just about competition but about building character, discipline, and teamwork. 

Former students and athletes often recall his signature wit and quick puns, which made even the most grueling practices bearable. 

Two funny stories must suffice: 

One day a runner was late to practice and asked Coach Pataky what he should do since the other guys were already running laps. Pataky looked up to notice a runner by the name of Heinz coming by in front of them. “Ketch-Up with Heinz,” he quipped. 

Pataky and his assistant coach, a great friend and colleague, John McCall, were known to drop the team off at their normal practice spot, sending them off on a seven mile run. The coaches would return later with a box of Krispy Kreme donuts and coffee, whereby they might joke with their hard-working athletes from an air-conditioned van as they enjoyed their sugary treats. 

Despite his soft-spoken nature, Pataky commanded deep respect, and his ability to bring out the best in young men solidified his legendary status at McCallie. His contributions to the school did not go unrecognized. In honor of his dedication, McCallie named the mathematics wing of the school’s academic building and the aquatic center for him, which ensured his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of students and athletes. Alice and John were never able to have children of their own, but as Pataky’s obituary noted, “his boys” were the thousands of young men he mentored at McCallie for more than a half century.

Photograph of John Pataky wearing a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves writing on a chalkboard.
Pataky spent more than fifty years teaching the highest levels of mathematics at McCallie School. The Tornado (McCallie School newspaper), April 23, 1965.
Photo of Pataky being hoisted on the shoulders of his track team members.
Pataky coached countless McCallie Blue Tornado runners and swimmers over the years. McCallie School Archives, 1960s.
Newspaper Article titled, "John T. Pataky Selected For Dedication of 1966-67 Pennant," along with a photo of Pataky wearing a tie.
Just one of many honors at McCallie, in 1966-67, in his tenth year on the faculty, students dedicated The Pennant, the school’s yearbook, to Pataky. The Tornado, May 5, 1967.

Commemoration

Alice died in 2001, and a year later, Pataky married Debbie Martin, a McCallie staff member with whom he and Alice had been friends for years. John and Debbie Pataky spent 20 happy years together before he passed away in 2022 at the age of 90. He is buried at Chattanooga National Cemetery in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Pataky’s story serves as a testament to the power of education and mentorship. He dedicated his life to helping young men realize their potential, just as McCallie School had helped him realize his own. His spirit lives on in the students he taught, the athletes he coached, and the traditions he helped shape. As McCallie School continues to thrive, Pataky’s name remains synonymous with excellence, perseverance, and kindness. His life reminds us that true greatness lies not in personal accolades, but in the impact we have on others.

John Pataky’s grave at Chattanooga National Cemetery in Chattanooga, Tennessee, April 8, 2025. Courtesy of Duke Richey.
Photograph of a plaque on the wall of an aquatic center dedicated to John Pataky.
McCallie School’s indoor pool and aquatic center are named in honor of John Pataky. Courtesy of Duke Richey, April 2025.
Photograph of Debbie Patacky standing between two students to whom she delivered a cake.
John Pataky’s widow, Debbie, delivers a birthday cake to McCallie student Marco Ferri. Ferri and George Pfefferkorn researched the life of Pataky and spent time getting to know him through Mrs. Pataky’s stories. Courtesy of Duke Richey, March 8, 2025.

Bibliography

Primary Sources

Florida. Orange County. 1940 U.S. Census. Digital images. https://ancestry.com.

Florida. Orange County. 1950 U.S. Census. Digital images. https://ancestry.com.

John Pataky, Honorable Discharge Certificate. Pataky Family Papers. Courtesy of Debbie Pataky.  

John Pataky, DD-214, Department of the Army. Pataky Family Papers. Courtesy of Debbie Pataky.

John Pataky. U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012. Digital images. https://ancestry.com.

“Miss Keel to Marry.” Orlando Evening Star [Orlando, FL], May 4, 1954. Newspapers.com (291985355).

Pataky, Debbie. Interview with the authors. March 1, 2025.

Pataky Family Papers. Courtesy of Debbie Pataky. 

“Pataky Steps Down As McCallie Cross Country Coach – After 40 Years.” Chattanoogan  [Chattanooga, TN], August 28, 2000. https://www.chattanoogan.com/2000/8/28/5924/Pataky-Steps-Down-As-McCallie-Cross.aspx.

The Pennant. McCallie School: 1946 -1950. McCallie School Archives.

Secondary Sources

Florida World War II Heritage Trail. Florida Heritage Publication. Accessed November 14, 2024. https://files.floridados.gov/media/32351/worldwariiheritagetrail.pdf.  

“Orlando.” Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Orlando-Florida.  

“John T. Pataky.” Find a Grave. Updated September 14, 2022. Accessed April 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/243547817/john-t-pataky.

“John T. Pataky.” National Cemetery Administration. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://gravelocator.cem.va.gov. 

“John T. Pataky.” Veterans Legacy Memorial, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Accessed April 12, 2025. https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/JOHNTPATAKY/a17c84.

“The Korean War Era.” U.S. Army Center of Military History. Accessed August 26, 2024. https://www.history.army.mil/html/bookshelves/resmat/korea/intro/index.html. 

“Pataky, John T.” Chattanoogan [Chattanooga, TN], September 14, 2022. https://www.chattanoogan.com/2022/9/14/455840/Pataky-John-T.aspx.

Porter, Tana Mosier. “Orlando Changes.” Reflections, Summer 2016.  Orange County Regional History Center. https://www.thehistorycenter.org/orlando-changes/. 

This profile was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.