The Selma Times-Journal

Scott Patterson’s last day on the job was full of grins and laughter.

The retired Air-Force-pilot-turned-chief-financial-officer was headed to Sylacauga with a

friend Monday to pick up a plane before the bank’s early closing for the New Year’s holiday.

He took a minute out of his day to pose for a few “thoughtful” poses in his office, but couldn’t help smiling.

Well-wishers trickled in and out with cards and handshakes.

Patterson, a Florence native, is a retired fighter pilot who served in the Vietnam War.

Patterson said he traveled all over the world-Europe, Asia, and throughout the U.S. He flew carriers and fighter planes which included the F-105, a supersonic fighter-bomber, the F-4, and the A-4 as a Navy Exchange Force pilot.

“It was a lot of fun. Very exciting and rewarding,” Patterson said. “About as much fun you can have with your clothes on.”

To this day Patterson said he still keeps in touch with his Air Force/pilot buddies. “We sit around and talk about how great we were,” Patterson said.

Always maintaining a sense of humor, Patterson also obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Alabama and the University of Northern Colorado, respectively, studying economics.

He came to BankTrust as assistant vice president and will retire as executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Patterson said he now plans to travel, spend time flying airplanes and have fun with his sports cars and boats. He keeps a collection in his office of cars and planes he has flown, driven, and owned, or currently owns.

Patterson races vintage sports cars such as Jaguars and Austin Healeys as part of the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association. Patterson said the cars are generally built before 1975, and he does some maintenance and mechanics do some maintenance.

B.J. Thirtrup, Patterson’s administrative assistant who is retiring after a total of 37 years with the company, said she couldn’t ask for a better boss. “It’s been great,” Thirtrup said. He’s fun, very smart. We hate to see him go.”

Patterson said he has lots more life to live, but things have went well so far. “I wouldn’t change much about my life at all,” Patterson said.