N. STUART PATTEN
May 1, 1939-April 20, 2016
Norman Stuart Patten, 76, passed away quietly and peacefully in his sleep early Wednesday morning, April 20.
Stuart, son of the late Paul R. and Ruth Price Patten, was a member of the 1957 graduating class of Mount Olive High School, and served as band captain during his high school years.
He furthered his education at East Carolina University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree, which enabled him to become a band director with years of service at schools in Plymouth and Edenton, and locally at Southern Wayne High School.
In later years, he obtained his master’s degree, and then served as principal of Mount Olive Middle, Brogden Primary, and Brogden Middle schools, retiring in 1998 from a rewarding educational career.
An Eagle Scout with Troop 34, he served as camp bugler at Camp Tuscarora, and as a troop member and leader, he had taken several trips to Philmont Scouting Ranch.
A lifelong member of First United Methodist Church of Mount Olive, where, in years past, he had been quite active through serving as chairman of the board of trustees, was a member of the administrative board, the church choir and the staff-parish relations committee and was a loyal member of the Fellowship Sunday school class.
He was a member of the church’s Peanut Crew until his death, and was an active member, as well as a founding member, of the Executive Club of Mount Olive.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed travel, especially to the beach, including Myrtle Beach, a favorite place, and he and his wife had visited many national parks in recent years.
A worship service to celebrate the life of Stuart Patten will be held Friday, April 22, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, corner of East James and North Church streets in Mount Olive. Officiating will be Dr. H. Dennis Draper Jr. and the Rev. Steven Wicks, with words of remembrance to be shared by his brother, Walter, and longtime friend and work associate, Jimmy Williams.
Uplifting music will be rendered by guest organist, Burke Raper.
A time of fellowship and visitation with the family will follow the service in the church library.
Mr. Patten will be buried Sunday, April 24, at Catawba Memorial Park in Hickory.
Survivors include his wife, Irene Sain Patten of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Paula Leigh Bryan and James Bryan of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; a brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Elyse Patten of Greensboro; sister-in-law, Barbara Sain; brother-in-law, Mike Sain and wife, Gina; nieces, Tana, Sarah, Rachel, Emilia, Jenna, Erica and Sandy; and nephews, Jeremiah and Matthew.
A sister-in-law, Pat S. Wallace, preceded him in death.
Floral offerings are welcome or memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 420, Mount Olive, N.C., 28365, or Irene S. Patten Endowment, University of Mount Olive, 634 Henderson St., Mount Olive, N.C., 28365.
A Tyndall Funeral Home service.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on April 21, 2016 1:50 PM