[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 19, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1145-E1146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HONORABLE NAT PATTON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM TURNER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 19, 2001

  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in memory of The Honorable Nat 
Patton, Jr., a man who embodied my hometown of Crockett, Texas in so 
many ways. Nat recently passed away on February 13, 2001 after the full 
life of eighty-eight years.
  Nat Patton, the son of former U.S. Congressman and Mrs. Patton, was 
educated in the public schools of my hometown of Crockett, TX. It was 
his love for the game of baseball that led him to attend Texas A&M 
University, where he played shortstop for the Aggie Varsity baseball 
team. During his days at Texas A&M, Mr. Patton was elected president of 
his sophomore class and yell leader--a high Aggie honor--for the 
student body.
  Nat Patton was destined for public service from his early years. 
Following in his father's footsteps, Nat had a special interest in 
politics and received his law degree from Cumberland University in 
Tennessee.
  After passing the State of Texas Bar Exam, Mr. Patton returned to 
Crockett to enter private practice. He set his law career aside to 
serve his country in World War II, where he fought under General George 
S. Patton's Third Army, 89th Division, European Theater. Following the 
war he returned to Crockett and resumed his law practice.
  From 1950 to 1980, Mr. Patton served Houston County as County 
Attorney. Upon retiring from public service after 30 years, Mr. Patton 
continued his private law practice.
  Mr. Patton and his wife, Eleanor were married for 60 years. Both were 
active members of their community, participating in the First United 
Methodist Church of Crockett. During his service to the church Mr. 
Patton had served as a Sunday School teacher and as a

[[Page E1146]]

member of the administrative board. Mr. Patton was also a member of the 
Masonic Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the 
American Legion.
  Nat's friendliness, his welcoming smile, and his warm spirit will be 
remembered by many of us in Crockett as the personification of the 
hometown that we love.
  We all share his family's profound grief in his passing, just as we 
have joined them in the celebration of his life.
  We'll miss you, Nat.

                          ____________________