Houston County Courier February 22, 2001 Obit for Mr. Nat Patton Jr., born in Houston County on Aug. 12, 1912, passed away Feb. 13, 2001 in Tyler. Son of former Congressman and Mrs. Nat Patton, he was educated in the public schools of Crockett. His love for the game of baseball and his skill at playing the fame as a young man led his family and friends to affectionately call him "Babe." He played short stop on the Aggie Varsity baseball team and in the summers with East TX League. As a student at TX A&M University, Nat was elected yell leader and president of his sophomore class. Following in his father's footsteps, Nat had a special interest in politics and received his law degree from Cumberland University in TN. After passing the State Bar Exam, he entered private practice in Crockett. On Aug. 9, 1940 he married Eleanor Stewart of Brownwood. Nat served his country in World War II in General George S. Patton's Third Army, 89th Division, and European Theater. Following the war he returned to Crockett and resumed his law practice. In 1950 he was elected County Attorney of Houston County, an office that he held for 30 years. After retiring from public office in 1980, he continued his private law practice. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. Nat was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Crockett for 80 years and in other capacities as he was needed. He loved people and devoted many hours to visiting the sick and elderly throughout the area. Nat never met a stranger and made it his business to welcome all new-comers to Crockett. Mr. Patton's parents, sister, Bessie Louise Patton LeGory, and brother, Weldon T. Patton T. Patton, preceded him in death. He is survived by his beloved wife, Eleanor Stewart Patton and his dear daughter, Martha R. (Patsy) Patton of Crockett, and one sister, Bonnie Patton Smith and her husband, Clyde of Austin. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, James and Cheryl Patton , and Angela Patton Brizendine and her husband Gary of Huntsville, James Patton LeGory of Washington, D. C., Ricky Smith of Houston, W. G. Schroeder and his wife, Deanna of Maplewood, Mn., Jan Schroeder Del Wilson of Plano, and Bonnie Schroeder Weikel and her husband, Allen of Grapevine. Many others relatives and a host of special friends also survive. He will be greatly missed. The Rev. Jerry House and the Rev. E. P. Ramsey Jr. at First United Methodist Church conducted funeral services at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15 with interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Pallbearers were Joe Skalicky, Dr. Perry Ramsey, Don Gordon, Jesse Stephens, Dan Julian III, Bill Pemberton, Chris Von Doenhoff, Howard Edminston, Jody Griffith, and Joe Griffith. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Houston County Bar Association, Young at Heart, Builders' Sunday School Class, Sewing Club, and special friends. Claybar Waller-Ramsey Funeral Home