Gregory Edward Patton Sr. was born in Kittery, Maine on July 18, 1959, to Charles Lee Patton and the late Margie Ann Patton. Greg, also known as Hulk, grew up in Charlotte, NC along with his three brothers: Adrian [Money] Patton, Sr., Myron [Deac] Patton, and Reginald [Sle] Patton, Sr.

In the Historic Cherry Neighborhood, he was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. There, he gave his life to Christ Jesus at an early age. He and his brothers played softball for the Church team, and 'Hulk' was the catcher. He attended Sunday school, sang in the junior choir, and was a trustee. Being led by the Spirit, Greg, along with his brothers, started utilizing their gifts early on. They were birthed in music. Their father Charles sang beautifully to the accompaniment of Margie Ann playing the piano. Their craft was continuously being cultivated as they formed their first group. They were known as the "Trumpeteers" and later, "The Patton Brothers" (Album is out)! Greg used his gift to sing as much and as often as possible. Everywhere he went, his gifts continued to make room for him and bring him before great men!

Greg graduated from Olympic High School where he played the baritone, tuba, and trumpet. After high school, he married Sabra Young and was blessed with four amazing children from this union: Gregory Patton, Jr. (Tosha), Yushonda Patton Whitehurst (Troy), Sanchez Patton, and Latashia Patton. Most of them were blessed with the gift of singing as well (sorry Tashia). Gregory was a devoted family man, who loved and was also loved by everyone he encountered.

Greg started his professional journey working for the Federal Reserve Bank. He later became a member of the Marine Corps Reserve. He spent years working for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. From 1985 – 1989, the company moved him to Tennessee (Nashville and Murfreesboro). There he was a part of the choir and praise team. From 1989 – 1991, he was relocated to Alexandria, VA. In 1991-1995 he was moved to Waynesboro and then Staunton, VA. He continued to utilize his gifts by serving in the church and singing and directing in choirs.

Greg accepted a position as Director of Quality for Cleveland Coca-Cola Bottling Company in 1996. He married Esther Patton on June 15, 1996, and he served with her in the bus ministry at Columbia Road Baptist Church, in which they visited the projects in Cleveland, ministered to their spiritual and physical needs, and invited children to attend church. It was a highly rewarding ministry, as several children accepted Christ, and many families were eternally impacted. Greg chose to legally adopt Esther's two children, Natasha and David, during his time there. In the fall of 1999, Greg accepted a job at Independent Beverage Corporation in Charlotte, NC, a job he invested his heart and soul into for 21 years. While there, he knowledgeably served as Quality Manager, Sanitation Superintendent, SQF Director, and Director of Quality. During this time, his seventh and final child was born, Alisha Patton. From 2020 to mid-2024, Greg finished his working career in the quality arena at Big Beverage Corporation, in which his efforts led to the lab that he built from the ground up named after him. More importantly, he touched many lives with his Christian character and witness, and he treasured working there most of all, loving everyone he encountered. They also demonstrated their love for him in so many ways over the years, as they also truly cherished him.

He became a member of Lake Norman Baptist Church in 2001, and he sang from the heart on the praise team for 23 years. He also served His Lord and Savior as a member of the choir, as an Awana Sparks leader, as a deacon, as Chairman of the deacons, and as a Vacation Bible School volunteer (most notable being dubbed "Nursery Supervisor" as he calmed screaming babies with his beautiful voice). He went on mission trips, and he gladly volunteered for numerous Feed the Hunger packathons. He humbly served his Lord in continuing to sing with his brothers in numerous contexts, and he sang with the Sugar Creek Quartet for over 20 years at Knights games, at the Billy Graham Library, and countless nursing homes and other venues, selflessly pouring into others using his extraordinarily powerful and beautiful voice.

It was this dedication and love Greg demonstrated to everyone he met. He was fiercely loyal and devoted to his wife and soulmate, Esther, for over 28 years, his 7 children, his 14 grandchildren, and the rest of his family, always taking time to listen, care, and offer prayerful words of wisdom. Selfless and humble, Greg dealt with stage IV prostate cancer for over 17 years, but he never complained, and he inspired countless other people with his perseverance, tenacity, and unwavering faith. He passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on July 24, 2024, his mission on earth complete. Gregory Edward Patton, Sr., will be dearly missed by all who knew him, but his legacy will live on through his family, friends, and colleagues.

He is survived by: wife Esther Patton, father Charles Patton; 3 brothers Adrian Patton (Phyllis), Reginald Patton (Marcie), and Myron Patton (Sylvia); 7 children Greg Patton, Jr. (Tosha), Yushonda Whitehurst (Troy), Sanchez Patton, Latashia Patton, Natasha Patton, David Patton, and Alisha Patton, and 14 grandchildren: Kei'mohta Patton, Greg (Tre) Patton, III, Arianna Patton, Akeem Patton, Asajiah Patton, Kahlil Robinson, Aniyah Taylor, Alyse Whitehurst, Sanchez Patton, Jr., Trinelle Patton, Jairus Patton, Josiah Patton, Vada Howard, and Jayden Ward. He was preceded in death by his mother (Margie Patton).

In Lieu of  Flowers Make Donations To:

Feed the Hunger

https://www.feedthehunger.org/

P.O.Box 14874 Greensboro, NC 27415

Samaritan's Purse

https://samaritanspurse.org/

P.O.Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607