John Thomas Patton

John Thomas Patton, age 77, of Kingston, Tennessee went to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on January 18, 2026, while residing at Sycamore Trace assisted living after a short struggle with cancer. His brother Jeff was by his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents Cedric S. and Betty J. Patton. His grandparents Thomas and Myrtle Floyd Shepherd and Thomas and Nellie Riddle Patton. He is survived by his brother Jeff L. (Cheri) Patton of Kingston, Nephew Travis A. (Dr. Jessica) Patton and their son Jordan Patton of Jonesborough, Tennessee. Niece Traci A. (Justin) Watson and their children Anniston, Ashton, and Austin Watson of Dana Point, California.

After graduating from UT Knoxville with honors with a degree in Physics, he began his career at K-25 as an Instrument Engineer. Known for his exceptional engineering skills, John went on to work at all three plants in Oak Ridge during his career, retiring from K-25 in 2005.

In his earlier years John was an avid bowler in the plant leagues in Oak Ridge. He could routinely roll a 650+ series and had several 700+ series. His other great passion was billiards. He especially loved playing Snooker and many friends thought he had the talent to play professionally.

The most important thing you should know about John was that he knew Jesus as his personal Savior. He made a profession of faith as a teenager during a youth retreat. He was of the Baptist faith and a member of First Baptist Church in Kingston. Anytime he was asked if he knew Jesus, he would always tell you that he did know Him and that he was saved during a youth retreat to Ridgecrest, North Carolina. Make sure that you, your loved ones, and your neighbors know Jesus as their personal Savior, for none of us knows the day we will be called to leave this earth.

A graveside service for the family was held at Grandview Cemetery in Maryville, Tennessee on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Memorials may be sent to Kingston First Baptist Church, 215 N. Kentucky St, Kingston, TN 37763. Online at shelbygiving.com/App/Giving/kingstonfbc. Or Tennessee Baptist Children's Home, PO Box 2206, Brentwood, TN 37024. Or online at tennesseechildren.org/donate.

In John 10, the Bible says that Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

The family would like to express our sincere love and thanks to all the staff at Sycamore Trace assisted living in Kingston, Amedisys Wound care of Sweetwater, and Amedisys Hospice care (Christine) of Knoxville. Thank you to Kyker Funeral Home in Kingston for the beautiful arrangements and your assistance to the family. Thank you to the workers at Grandview Cemetery in Maryville. Thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Roane Medical Center in Harriman. Thank you to Janessa and Melissa for giving of your time and love to be there when he needed you most. John loved all his caregivers. And a Special thanks with love to Dr. John Belitz for his friendship, compassion, and excellent care of John. May God bless each of you. Kyker Funeral Home of Kingston is serving the Patton Family.