Kermit J. Patton

Retired Gulfport Police Major Kermit J. Patton

Retired Gulfport Police Major Kermit J. Patton, 71, a resident of Gulfport, MS, died on Tuesday, May 4, 2004.

Major Patton was born on February 18, 1933, in Gulfport, MS. He attended Gulfport public schools. He joined the United States Air Force in March 1953, where he fought in the Korean War. He served his country for four years and was honorably discharged on March 10, 1957, with the rank of Airman First Class. He joined the Gulfport Police Department in June of 1957 and was promoted to the rank of Major on August 23, 1977. He retired after 40 years of loyal service with the city of Gulfport in June 1996. He enjoyed his retirement by fishing, hunting, and riding his four-wheeler.

Major Patton was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Mary Patton, and a brother, Robert Arnold Patton.

He is survived by his wife, Naomi; and three daughters, Teri Dian Patton; Patti Cuevas and her husband, Ronnie; and Lynn Upchurch and her husband, Jeff, all of Gulfport, MS; six grandchildren, Abbi D. Roberson and her husband, Bo; Tallin Tillman, Chance Tillman; Laci Cuevas; Mary-Lynn Cuevas; and Matthew Hall. He is also survived by one great-grandson, William-Joseph Braxton Roberson. Other survivors include a niece, Sherry Patton Vickers, of Holly Springs, NC; and nephews, Kenneth Michael Patton, of Wiggins, MS; Mitch Hibbard, of St. Louis, MO; Greg Hibbard, of Cordova, TN; Chris Hibbard, of Gulfport, MS; Erick Reid, of Amsterdam, Holland, and Jason Reid, of Portland, OR.

Pallbearers will be members of the Gulfport Police Department.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 9:00 tonight, Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at Riemann Funeral Home, 25th Avenue in Gulfport, with a Rosary at 7:30. The Mass of the Resurrection will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 6, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Gulfport, followed by burial in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum in Gulfport.