Richard D. Patton

Richard D. Patton, age 88, of Toms River, NJ passed away peacefully in the early hours of Thursday, December 15th. Born on March 25, 1934 in Chester, PA son of the late James Brainard and Catharine Mateer Patton and married to Martha E. Furman on February 17, 1962, he was better known as Dick or Butch to family and friends.

Dick graduated high school from TE Conestoga where he was a talented football, basketball, baseball and golf athlete. Prior to joining the Army, he attended Valley Forge Military Academy. He left the Army to enroll in West Chester State College where he was a member of the golf team and he graduated with a degree in Health and Physical Education in 1961. He received his masters degree from Trenton State College and his Driver’s Ed certification from Montclair State University.

Dick started his teaching and coaching career in East Orange High School in NJ before his longtime career in the Toms River School system first at Toms River High School (South) and later at Toms River High School North. He also had briefly served as the athletic director and head football coach at Jericho High School and Woodmere Academy in Long Island, NY. For over 30 years, Dick enjoyed coaching, teaching physical education and driver’s education classes. “Coach” Patton was the first head football coach at the “newly built” Toms River High School North in 1969. He coached football, girls’ basketball and baseball and other sports throughout the years. After his career as a coach ended, Dick remained active in the sports community as a radio broadcaster and television commentator with WOBM for local football games. He was a member of the National Education Association, Toms River Education Association, and the Elks.

During the summers, Dick acted as pool director of the Toms River Country Club for many years prior to the creation of his own lawn mowing and maintenance company. As a member at the Presbyterian Church of TR, he served God as a deacon and by maintaining the grounds for many years.

While Dick was at West Chester, he met Marty Furman, his beloved wife of 60 years. He loved summers at the beach in Ocean City, NJ where he spent quality time with Marty, his daughters, and their families. After retiring, Dick continued to enjoy playing golf, attending his children’s and grandchildren’s athletic competitions and listening to their music concerts. As an avid sports fan, he was always watching his favorite scholastic and collegiate athletic teams play. Go Army! Beat Navy! As a Pennsylvania native, he rooted for the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies.

He is survived by his wife, Marty Patton, and four daughters, Debbie Britton, Suzanne and Thad Stanley, Penni and Matt Winters, and Cindy and Steve Stout. In addition to his daughters, he is survived by ten grandchildren: Jonathan, Tyler, and Emily Britton, Kyle, Ryan, and Lauren Stanley, Dan and Lindsey Winters, Karleigh and Kaden Stout as well as five great granddaughters, Emersyn, Ellisyn, Emilia, Charlotte and Evalyn Britton. He is also survived by his brothers Robert and Michael and their families.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 10:00 AM at the Presbyterian Church of Toms River, 1070 Hooper Ave., Toms River, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Dick’s permanent life celebration site at www.andersonandcampbell.com to leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contributions in Richard D. Patton’s name can be made to the Presbyterian Church of Toms River, 1070 Church Street, Toms River, NJ 08753 or given online at https://onrealm.org/PCTR/-/form/give/now.