Dr. James Russell Patton, Jr.

Dr. Patton

Dr. James “Jim” Russell Patton, Jr., 91, of Waco, died peacefully Monday, November 9, 2020 at Ascension Providence Waco.

Graveside Service: 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Oakwood Cemetery with The Rev. Christopher Rodgers officiating

Jimmy was a physician known for kindness, integrity, honesty and compassion throughout his long career in medicine and ophthalmology. He was a fourth generation Wacoan, a descendant with both maternal and paternal ancestors settling here in the 1870s.

Jimmy was born in Waco on May 5, 1929, to James Russell “Rusty” Patton and Ruth McLendon Patton. He attended Sanger Avenue Elementary School where he met his future wife, Ada Risher, in third grade. He graduated high school from New Mexico Military Institute in 1946.

He played football and enjoyed riding in the school’s mounted cavalry. He went on to attend college at Rice University, then was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. His medical training included internships at the University of Michigan Medical School and further studies at London’s Moorfields Eye Hospital. Jimmy also specialized in Ophthalmology as a resident at the Barnes Hospital, Washington University at St. Louis, MO.

Jimmy married Ada Stone at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on October 12, 1955. He served the next three years with the U.S. Air Force as a Captain, Staff Physician in Hahn, Germany. He later continued service with the U.S. Veteran’s Hospital in Waco for many years. He was also Chief of Staff at Hillcrest Hospital for several years.

Jimmy’s greatest livelihood was fly fishing and his annual trips to New Zealand for over two decades. He carried his passion for fly fishing with his children and his grandchildren. He and his wife Ada were both volunteers in Meals for Wheels.

Jimmy is survived by his daughter, Laura Risher Patton Hamburger and husband, Charles; and his two granddaughters, Laura Grace Hamburger and Sara Risher Hamburger.

Memorials in his memory may be made to Meals on Wheels.

 

Place of Service: Oakwood Cemetery , 2124 S.5th St.; Waco, TX 76706



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Condolence Messages

  1. So sorry to hear of Dr. Patton’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. I was his nuoffice nurse for 10 yrs and will never forget his kindness and his compassion for his patients. He was also a wonderful person to work for. He will surely be missed by many. Evelyn Odle

  2. Laura and Russell,
    My heart is saddened with the news of your dad’s passing.
    Dr. Patton truly cared for his family and community by
    committing to his ophthalmology practice in Waco for
    many years and I am proud to have been a part of his
    practice.
    May God give you peace and comfort during the days ahead.
    Pamela Veselka
    May God give you

  3. I am so sad and so at peace because I know the world has gained another Angel. I see today because of his caring hands. My 1st surgery was at the age of 2 yrs old and another at 5 yrs old, I can still close my eyes 50 yrs later and hear his voice say ” ok little bit when I take this last one off keep your eyes closed until I tell you” and when he told me to open my eyes there was his beautiful smile and my daddy holding a play set with fake nails and makeup! He stayed a part of my family until he retired. My love and prayers to his family! P.s. The pic is absolutely perfect!

  4. Beth Willingham and J Luther Staton III

    My husband Luther Staton and I have remembered Dr. Patton very fondly for many years. Through an unusual circumstance, I was lucky enough to come across this lovely obituary and the perfect photo (as Lori Crews says) of Dr. Patton today. What a fine doctor and man he was. I know many still miss him and many still thank him for his care and skill.

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