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Capt. James Patton, Jr. Obituary
Born in Norwood, MA, he was the son of the late James H., Sr. and Suzanne Patton.
James graduated in 1960 from the U.S. Naval Academy, serving on multiple submarines over his 25-year career. He retired from the Navy as Captain in 1985, and opened a consulting company: Submarine Tactics & Technology, Inc. He was an avid trout fisherman and member of several organizations, including the Naval Submarine League, the N. Stonington Lions Club, and the N. Stonington Education Foundation (NSEF).
In addition to his devoted wife, he leaves three children, Terry P. Rhoads of Swampscott, MA, John M. Patton of Atlanta, GA, and James H. Patton, III of Annandale, VA. He is also survived by his sister, Mary E. Cobbett of Swampscott, MA, eight grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Visting hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his name to the NSEF or N.S. Lions Club. A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at St. Michael's Church, 60 Liberty St., Pawcatuck, CT, at 10:00am on Friday, 8 October, 2021. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly is in care of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Capt. James Patton, Jr.
Sponsored by Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home - Westerly.
A. J. Frenchy LeBlanc
September 27, 2023
It was a great honor to serve as the Chief of the Boat under his command. I shall miss him deeply and forever. A. J. Frenchy LeBlanc.
A. J. LeBlanc
February 14, 2023
What a great man. I shall always remember him and miss him dearly. A. J. (Frenchy) LeBlanc, SSN650 COB ret.
Chaplain Ray Fritz
October 16, 2021
Dear Mary, family and friends of Capt Patton; on behalf of the United States Submarine Veterans, we offer our sincere condolences at James´ passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are always saddened whenever a fellow "Bubblehead" leaves on Eternal Patrol. We are grateful for James´ distinguished service to our country in the U.S. Submarine Service. He served with honor aboard the USS Scorpion SSN-589, USS James Monroe SSBN-622, USS Flasher SSN-613, USS Daniel Webster SSBN-626, USS Lapon SSN-661, USS Cavalla SSN-684 Executive Officer, and the USS PARGO SSN-650 Commanding Officer. To our "Brother-of-the-Phin" we say, "Sailor, rest your oar. We have the watch. Fair Winds and Following Seas." Thank you for your service to our country.
Mary, ... may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16
James H. PATTON Jr., CAPT US Navy Retired, now on Eternal Patrol.
Rev. Ray Fritz (EM1-SS), National Chaplain USSVI.
James M. Patton, Captain, USN (retired)
October 8, 2021
My very sincere sympathy to all of the Patton family! Your Jim and I served in submarines simultaneously -- him mostly in the Atlantic and me mostly in the Pacific -- and did not meet in person until after we retired. We enjoyed confusing the participants at professional meetings --- sharing the fame of our accomplishments throughout the Cold War. Fans of the movie The Hunt for Red October called me many times over the years to congratulate me on it's authenticity. I always bit my lip and referred them to Jim! He will certainly be missed!
Preston Hensley and family
October 7, 2021
Our deepest sympathies to Mary and to Jim's family. We met every Saturday at 1 PM for the last few years. The conversations were far reaching, often lasting for hours. I learned of a great life lived in important times.
Daniel Jaramillo
October 5, 2021
Condolences to your family. God bless and thank you for your service, fellow submariner.
Pete Caster
October 5, 2021
A man of great caliber who always treated me very well. My condolences.
Lauren S
October 5, 2021
Mr. Patton was an incredible mentor; encouraging, endlessly supportive and kind. He will be sorely missed.
Tom and Mary Paula Lydon
October 4, 2021
Jim was a great first cousin whom I very much respected when I was a young man, and because of him I almost attended the Naval Academy. He was a very honorable and respected gentleman, and a wonderful representative of the Patton and Fitzgibbons families. Mary Paula and I send our prayers and sympathy to Mary and the entire family.
Pat and Joe Dobes
October 4, 2021
Our heartfelt condolences to Mary and family. Jim was a classmate and fellow submariner and will be missed at class reunions and submarine functions.
Al and Mary Lawver
October 4, 2021
We send our prayers to the family. I was engineer on Pargo 74-78; Jim was my CO during Pargo's refueling at EB. We got married during that time. Jim was a great leader and one of the smartest men I knew. I will always remember his insistence that we start an ice hockey team, which we did, often holding practice on the pond near his house. Mary was the consummate CO's wife. We will miss Jim but have plenty of fond memories of he and his family. Our love goes out to them.
David Elks
October 4, 2021
Captain James Patton exemplified the values and standards of the military Officer Corps. As a junior Army officer I would have loved to serve under his command.
David Elks
IC1/SS William Roraback
October 3, 2021
USS Pargo Shipmate 77-78. Great Skipper, he will be missed. Skipper we have the watch, rest easy.
Linda and Sal Costanza
October 3, 2021
We are so sad to hear of Jim's passing. North Stonington has lost a truly, wonderful humanitarian. Thank you for caring so much about our children in town...wanting to make sure they had bikes at Christmas, and that they went to their proms in the spring . We will miss this humble, kind man. We were blessed to have you in.our lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary, Terry, Jim, and John.
A. J. LeBlanc
October 3, 2021
It was my honor and privilege to have served as Captain Patton's Chief-of-the-Boat on USS Pargo, SSN 650. In my opinion he was one of the smartest submarine tacticians in submarine warfare. I will miss him dearly, Art (Frenchy) LeBlanc, USN, Ret.
SKIP BOWMAN
October 3, 2021
PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY. JIM WAS ONE OF MY HEROES. GREAT SUBMARINE COMMANDING OFFICER.
HIGH INTEGRITY AND THOROUGH RESEARCH.
Frank Caldwell
October 2, 2021
A great submariner and friend of the Submarine Force. Jim will be greatly missed!
T. D.
October 1, 2021
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief, and find comfort from knowing that God draws close to the broken-hearted.
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