Howard Patton Obituary

Patton, Howard Deeply loved and truly admired Howard Patton passed away in the company of family at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, at age 76. For those who knew Howard, they would agree that Howard had a charming and pleasant way about him that was laced with an exceptional calm, a strong intellect, a sense of humor that caused a rippling in his shoulders when he laughed, a humility that defined an unwavering self-confidence, a classy demeanor that suggested an appreciation for the finer things in life, and an integrity that reminded us all that whatever he did, it would be done right. He had the God-given gift of always being able to bring reason to chaos while keeping a cool perspective; and truly living the life God gave him. Howard Patton was, and will remain, remarkable! Born in Manhattan, NY to Theodore and Catherine Holland Patton (deceased), Howard spent his early childhood in Birmingham, AL where he attended Washington Elementary School and Ullman High School. As a child, Howard was a faithful member of St. Mark CME Church. Later, he proudly joined the U.S. Army. Howard was taught at an early age the importance of education and in giving back. With a big heart and big smile, Howard completed Fisk University (Nashville, TN) in 1959 with a Bachelors of Science Degree; Occidental College (Los Angeles, CA) in 1970 with a Master's Degree in Urban Affairs; Yale University (New Haven, CT) in 1971 with a National Urban Fellows Certificate designating him as a 'National Urban Fellow Graduate' certified by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, and Yale University (having completed an intense seminar series in Urban Studies and a 10-month assignment as Special Assistant to John Taylor, City Manager - Kansas City, MO); and additional graduate level studies at Northeastern Illinois University (Chicago, IL). Early career involvement included serving as a Special Education Teacher at Raye Elementary School, and as Counselor for Street Gangs, in Chicago, IL. He also authored two seminal HEW papers (1973 and 1974.) Howard's work with the National Drug Prevention Program (1975) earned him recognition by the Executive Office of the President. Early involvements included working for Mayor Richard Hatcher of Gary, IN (Gary's first African American Mayor), and working for Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles, CA (LA's first African American Mayor). Howard subsequently found his place in the United States Treasury Department, rising through the ranks to become the Regional Director for the Department of the Treasury's United States Savings Bonds Division in Washington, D.C.; responsible for 17 states with sales exceeding 3 billion dollars. Howard initially worked directly under Ms. Azie Taylor Morton, the only African American to have served as the United States Treasurer. Living the values his parents instilled in him, Howard found ways to share his skills, experiences and professional talents with such organizations as: Fisk University Alumni Association where he was a lifetime active member, National Association of Public Administration, National Association of Black Social Workers, National Urban Affairs Council, Chicago Urban League under then president Hampton McKinney, and Westside Association for Community Action (WACA) where he was a passionate and longtime Board member. Howard found particular enjoyment in the organizations where he could be with friends he loved so dearly, or where he could share his enjoyment with his beloved Tanya: Kappa Alpha Psi (50+years), Delta Alpha Boule' -Sigma Pi Phi (Chair, Central Region Audit and Budget), THE RAT PACK, Inc. (Chicago), Boy Scouts of America Whitney M. Young Service Award Executive Committee Member, Connecting Link- Hoffman Estates Chapter, The Links Inc., and SophistiCat - Chicago Sophisticates; Sophisticates, Inc. Howard leaves behind his loving wife, friend, lover, and dance partner of 28 years, Tanya Bryant Patton; his adored daughter, Veronica K. Patton, J.D.; Geoffrey T. Anderson (Evva) of Hartford, CT, whom he embraced and accepted as his son; Geoffrey's two sons (the Boyz), Robert K. Anderson, II and Jonathan D. Anderson; brother, Curtis L. Patton (Barbara) of New Haven, CT; and niece, Lynne Patton of New Rochelle, NY; godsister, Harriett Smiley of Birmingham, AL; goddaughter. Kari Maybank Strong of Atlanta, GA; sisters in-law, Jeanette Mack Kelley of Las Vegas, NV and Jacqueline Norfleet Carter of Newport News, VA; brothers-in-law, George H. Norfleet of Hollis, NY, Bruce A. Norfleet of Hollis, NY, Timothy Norfleet of Charlotte, NC., Gregory (Bobby) Norfleet of Morocco, Africa, and Paul Norfleet of Newport News, VA.