Michael Patton's Obituary
Michael Alfred Patton departed this life on April 4, 2025 in Memphis at the age of 92. He was born October 8, 1932 in Memphis to the late Marion Lofton and Edna Rebecca Womack Patton.
His life could be summed up in a word: love. He loved Jesus, his family, his friends, his neighbors, his country, and those he found along the way - he never met a stranger. He loved life and celebrated all the blessings in it while bearing the difficulties with cheerfulness.
He was friendly, kind, generous, patient, caring, encouraging and funny. He had a quick wit and loved to tease with a bit of mischief and fun but always with gentleness to make the other smile. He relished making people laugh and spent his life taking care of first his younger siblings, then his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to the very end, thinking of them even when his own advanced age made that challenging. He never retired from providing for his loved ones and giving to others. He enjoyed simple pleasures, such as a tasty meal and a warm hug. He enjoyed being with people and relished laughter and stimulating conversation - even an active debate, albeit with good humor. His intelligence and memory often astonished, and his vocabulary was so extensive as to surprise and baffle even those closest to him. He loved to share and teach and admonish others for their benefit, often reminding those around him to drink their orange juice and to save for the future, among other helpful hints. He loved well, has been loved well and now is deeply missed.
All who knew him and know Jesus are confident of where Michael Patton is: with Jesus in heaven. We know this, not because he had a righteousness of his own, but because he trusted what Jesus did to save him and all others who trust Jesus with their eternity. Michael believed what Jesus said, recorded in John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him would not die but have everlasting life." He is now with Jesus, his father, his mother whom he lost at age 11, and dear family and friends who have gone before. We who loved him here - as believers in Christ - someday will be together with him and the entire family of God forever.
Michael is survived by his wife, Nancy Foresman Patton; two daughters, Linda Patton Weiss (Keith) and Laura Patton Long (Greg); a brother, Dr. Robert Patton (Linda); four grandchildren, Joshua Ryan Weiss (Allison), Sarah Bond Allen (Neil), Gracie Weiss Dublin (Jake), and Caleb Michael Weiss; and five great grandchildren, Cohen Thomas Weiss, Emerson Jean Weiss, Quinn Diane Weiss, Ellie Mae Allen, and Abby Rose Allen.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Kathleen Patton Brueckner (Peter).
Visitation will be from 10:30 to noon with service at noon on Saturday, April 12, at Faith Presbyterian Church, 8816 Poplar Pike in Germantown, TN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Faith Presbyterian Church or Memphis Union Mission.
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