The Rev. Gene Patton, a priest in the Diocese of Bethlehem for 35 years, died Nov. 4. He was 77.

Fr. Patton, a native of Knoxville, TN, served in the Army during World War II and received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and the Prisoner of War Medal. He graduated from the University of Tennessee and went on to receive three masters degreees: from Virginia Theological Seminary, Temple University and Drexel University. He was ordained deacon in 1961 and priest in 1962. He was rector of St. John's, Ashland, and Faith, Mahanoy City, PA, 1961-66 and became rector of St. Thomas', Morgantown, PA in 1966, remaining there until his retirement in 1986. He served in a number of Bethlehem congregations following his retirement. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, Wernersville, PA, and three daughters, Abbie, West Reading, PA, Deborah, Baltimore, and Sarah, West Chester, PA.