Obituary of Rev. Dr. M. Dean Patton

The Rev. Dr. M. Dean Patton, 72, formerly of Jamestown, died Sunday morning, March 24, 2013, at his home in Warren following a lengthy illness. Dean was born on May 12, 1940, in Greensburg, PA, the son of the late Orion W. and E. Marie Gardner Patton. He attended Strong Vincent High School in Erie, PA; received a B.A. in Sociology from Grove City College in Grove City, PA; earned a M. Div. from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Kentucky; received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA ; and did post-graduate studies in counseling at Harvard Medical School of Continuing Education in Boston, MA He was ordained in June of 1965. He served as minister to the Union Presbyterian Church in Blasdell, NY, as well as serving as pulpit supply and interim pastor in many Presbyterian churches in the Presbytery of Western New York and in the Presbytery of Lake Erie. Dean was a Parish Associate Minister in the First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, in First Presbyterian Church of Warren, PA, and worked on committees for the Presbyteries, most recently as Co-Moderator of the Committee on Ministry. Dean worked as Assistant Registrar at the State University College in Buffalo, NY. He taught for twenty years at Jamestown Community College, Jamestown, NY, where he was Acting Dean of Student Affairs, Counselor, and Full Professor of Human Development and Creative Studies. While at JCC he was awarded numerous Faculty and Merit Awards and received the NY State Chancellor's Award for Excellence in 1986. As founder and owner of Agape` Counseling Center in Jamestown, NY, Dean became known and respected for his psychotherapy and compassionate treatment of his many clients. For nearly forty years, Dean was involved with the Creative Education Foundation. He was a Colleague, an instructor, a developer of programs working in many venues, nationally and internationally. The Foundation granted him their Service and Commitment Award, their Outstanding Leader Award, and, in 2005, their coveted Hall of Fame Award. He was an international consultant working with numerous businesses and organizations using Creative Problem Solving methodology. Dean was instrumental in the founding of Koinonia of Jamestown and Western New York. He served as Spiritual Leader for many weekend retreats and as a member of the Core Board. In 2007 Dean published a book, Growing Up Male in America. A truly talented and gifted person, Dean had many interests. He enjoyed singing, landscaping, reading, painting and sculpture, traveling, gourmet cooking, and playing bridge. Dean is survived by his wife Audrey with whom he celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August of 2012. He is also survived by a daughter, Eva Marie Patton of Worcester, MA, and a son, Travis Dean Patton and his wife, Bonnie Phair, and one beloved grandson, Lucas Dean Patton, all of Yarmouthport, MA. He is also survived by a sister, Jeanine Patton Lynch of Venice, FL, and a brother, O.G. "Bud" Patton of Sarasota, FL, five nieces and nephews, and eight great-nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 30th in the First Presbyterian Church of Warren. The Rev. Ellie Johns-Kelley will officiate. Friends will be received for two hours prior to the service in the church Saturday. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 300 Market Street, Warren, PA 16365.