Timothy James Patton

Timothy James Patton 76, a long-time resident of Charlotte, passed away after a long battle with lung and brain cancer on Friday, March 20, 2020 at White Oak Manor in Charlotte, where he had been under Charlotte Hospice and Palliative care for the last several months.

Born January 12, 1944 in Cleveland, OH, he did most of his growing up in Asheville, NC where his family relocated when he was 12 years old. He was the son of the late Donald James Patton and Mary Louise Kramer Patton.

In high school Tim was an award-winning swimmer. He competed throughout the Southeast, at one time holding the record for being number one in competitive butterfly stroke. Following graduation from Lee Edwards High School in Asheville, Tim continued his education in business and sales at Walsh University in North Canton, OH. He served 3 years in the United States Army, 1 year of which was in Vietnam.

Throughout his career, Tim focused on marketing, sales, and design of textile machinery. His knowledge of textile machinery was that of a mechanical engineer, actually designing machines that were used in the manufacturing of textiles. He owned and was CEO of his own business, which operated in NC, SC, GA, and VA, as well as in NY, NJ, and New England.

He was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church here in Charlotte. Tim spent his life being active in the Catholic Church where he and his family belonged going all the way back to his childhood in Asheville where he was head altar boy and frequently chosen to serve Mass for the Bishop.

He was an avid motorcyclist, riding to the Harley Davidson 100th year celebration in Milwaukee, WI in 2003. He also rode in the “Rolling Thunder” ride to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC held over Memorial Day, as well as many local fundraising and charity rides. His other hobby and interest was the collection and restoration of antique telegraph keys. He hunted these down and restored them, selling to other collectors throughout the world. For many years he was active as a ham radio operator and held the rank of Expert, with the call of K2TJP.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret McGowan “Peggy” Patton; two sons, Sean Patton (Rachel) of Waxhaw, NC and Brian Patton (Sarah) of Knoxville, TN; and two step-daughters, Veronica Michaelis of Waxhaw, NC and Stephanie Michaelis McConnell of Mt. Ulla, NC; and six dear grandchildren, Anna, Olivia, and Lilly Patton and Connor and Contessa Westover and Luke McConnell. He is also survived by his sister Mary Kathleen Patton Frech (Al) of Bridgeville, DE, a niece, Mary Allison Poehlein Ganzhorn (George) of Charlotte, NC and a nephew, Michael Frech (Susan) of Erie, CO, as well as 2 great nieces and 1 great nephew.

His sister, Karen Patton Poehlein of Asheville, NC, preceded him in death.

A Mass at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church will be at 11:00 am, Thursday, August 13, 2020 to celebrate Tim’s life, with inurnment to follow at Salisbury National Cemetery (501 Statesville Blvd.) at 2 pm with full military honors. Please note directions to Salisbury National Cemetery: from Statesville Blvd., turn right on to Brenner Ave. (beside VA Hospital), continue on to Hedrick St., turn right to enter temporary construction entrance to Salisbury National Cemetery.

For those wishing to send memorial gifts, please consider the following two options:

• Carolina BioOncology at 9801 Kincey Avenue, Suite 145, Huntersville, NC 28078, where oncology patients are able to enroll in the newest, most promising clinical trials in the treatment of cancer. Please clearly state that this is a donation in Tim’s name as assistance to patients who cannot afford the initial medical assessment. Or

• Mecklenburg Ambulance Drivers (MAD) Non-profit Benevolent Fund established to support families of police, fire, and EMS personnel in the line of duty death or hardships. Send donation to MAD at 7428 Fallen Timber Lane, Tega Cay, SC 29707.

Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com/obituaries.