James Patton Jr.

1953 - 2024

It is with deep sorrow and much love that the family of James Carson Patton, Jr., announce that he went home to the Lord on December 5, 2024. A funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Starkville on Monday December 9 at 2:00 p.m. The visitation will take place at the church from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. A private graveside service will be held immediately following the funeral. All are welcome to attend the celebration of life, which will take place after the funeral at the Hewlett Barn at 804 Woodside Drive in Starkville.

Born on July 29, 1953, in West Point, Mississippi to parents James Carson Patton and Sara Tarlton Patton, Jim attended Lexington High School in Lexington, Mississippi, where he graduated in 1971, as the class valedictorian. He attended college at his beloved Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi, where he graduated in 1975, Cum Laude. After graduation, he attended law school at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi, and graduated in 1979. Jim is preceded in death by his mother and father, and brother-in-law, Samuel Lee Rutledge.

Jim (J.C. to his friends) was the middle child, the only son, who grew up in a loving family. Although he enjoyed Mississippi State sports, his wife, children, step-children, grandkids, and nieces and nephews were his priority. He and his wife, Gayle, enjoyed a thirty-six year marriage that centered on a steadfast faith and mutual love of each other. J.C. and Gayle believed that if they kept God first, everything else would fall into place.

J.C. was larger than life. A respected lawyer, J.C. had a reputation for being a ferocious litigator who dedicated his practice to help the underserved. He had a photographic memory and was quick on his feet, which contributed to his reputation in the legal field. He was a man always ready to lend a hand to help a soul in need. An extrovert who never met a stranger, J.C. was lovingly called "the hardest working lawyer in show business" by one of his friends. Other friends reported his quick wit, and his amazing memory, especially where Mississippi State sports statistics were concerned. He was known for dancing at parties, and was especially good at the gator.

J.C. is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Gayle Martin Patton. He is also survived by his daughter Ashley Patton Bates, (Jeff), Madison, Mississippi, his daughter Lesleigh Ann Patton, Charleston, South Carolina, his stepdaughter Ashley Harris Waddell (Kyle), his stepdaughter Tracy Harris, Vero Beach, Florida, his stepdaughter Courtney Harris, Vero Beach, Florida, his stepdaughter Shawn Harris McReynolds, Atmore, Alabama. He is also survived by his sister Linda Patton MacMorran (Bruce), Baton Rouge, Louisiana, his sister Sara Beth Patton Rutledge, Brandon, Mississippi. J.C. is also survived by his grandchildren Nora Bates, Alleigh Bates, Addison Waddell, Nevin Waddell, Baylee Nester, Annie Pike Nester, Aiden Whatley, Alex Whatley, Nixon Whatley, along with his beloved nieces and nephews.

With deep gratitude, the family of J.C. Patton would like to thank all of his health-care providers, with special thanks to Dr. Shannon Orr, University of Mississippi Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting contributions in J.C.'s name be made to the Starkville Global Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1791, Starkville, MS 39760.

You can leave the family a condolence at: www.welchfuneralhomes.com.