Obituary of Dr. James Marlin Patton

  Dr. James Marlin Patton passed away on Saturday, June 17, 2023. He was the son of the late James Henry and Edna Mae Patton and was preceded in death by his sister Martha Ann Clarke. He was born on August 14, 1948, in Bardstown, Kentucky. His formative education was through the Good Shepherd Catholic school system. He earned a baccalaureate degree in social psychology at Kentucky State University, a master’s degree in special education, University of Louisville, and a Doctor of Education in higher education, Indiana University. Dr.  Patton devoted more than forty years to the education profession.moving to higher education, as a faculty member at Hampton University, a department chair, interim dean, and assistant to the vice president of academic affairs at Virginia State University. 

He served three years as Director of Teacher Education at the Virginia Department of Education before he was appointed Professor of Education at The College of William and Mary.

Dr. Patton was a faith-filled Catholic and a member of the Hampton/Newport News Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Dr. James Patton is survived by his daughter Dr. Asha Patton Smith (Damaneon); his son Attorney Ade Patton (Jessica); grandsons Armon and Noah; and granddaughters, Kenzie and Campbell; his brother, Edward Lee Patton (Lorenzo); a nephew Darren Nealy (Erin), Dr. Lydia Pettis Patton, a special friend Lynda Burke, and a host of family and friends. Interment is Friday, July 14, 2023, 2:00pm, Sunset Memorial Gardens, 3250 Versailles Road,Frankfort, Kentucky, officiated by Rev. Charles Howell, Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Lexington, Kentucky.