James William Patton, 88, of LaFayette, passed away at his home Wednesday evening, August 15, 2018. He was born in Chattanooga to the late Thomas Jesse and Leda Belle Cantrell Patton. Jim attended Chattanooga Valley High School and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He worked for 38 years at Wheland Foundry, retiring in 1986. He worked in quality control, production scheduling and as a customer sales representative. For several years, he served as lecturer at the Highway Alcohol Safety Program (HASP) at Chattanooga State Technical Community College. Jim worked for 40 years as a stagehand for the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees and served as I.A.T.S.E. Local 140 president from the 1970s to 2012, when he retired from I.A.T.S.E. Jim enjoyed woodworking, playing golf, gardening and reading.
Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Mary Helen Patton Blackwell; brothers, Reverend Paul Patton and Kenneth Patton; and step-son, Joseph Lee Simmons.
He is survived by his wife, Glenda Margaret Pless Patton, of LaFayette; their children, Pamela Patton, Patti Patton Broom, Randy Patton and Kim Patton Phillips, all of Chattanooga, Michael Simmons, of Jackson, Ms.; brother, David Patton, of Florida; grandchildren, Cole Patton, of Atlanta, Corey Broom, of Fort Oglethorpe, Patton Phillips, of Chattanooga, Suzanne Branam, of Chattanooga, Kerry Broom Stock, of Chattanooga and Leigh Shultz, of Chattanooga; and 11 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, Aug. 18 at the funeral home from 4-7 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 7 p.m. in the chapel with family and friends celebrating Jim’s life.
Arrangements by Wilson Funeral Homes – LaFayette Chapel. Online guestbook at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com.