George R. "Pat" Pattillo

George R. "Pat" Pattillo, 82, of Franklin, passed away the first day of Spring, Sunday, March 20, 2016.  A native of Macon County, he was the son of the late George R. Pattillo, Jr. and Frances McCullough Pattillo. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Edith Elizabeth Pattillo, daughter; Scott Pattillo, son; and Melinda Pattillo, daughter.  He graduated from Franklin High School in 1952, and received both his Bachelor of Science and Master's Degree in Education from Western Carolina University.  He served his country in the U. S. Army from 1957‑1959.

Pat was employed by the North Carolina Public Education System for 34 years as a teacher, coach, and principal.  He began his coaching career in Newnan, GA then later became the head football coach in Robbinsville, NC (1964‑1965).  Pat became Franklin High School's Varsity Head Football coach in 1966.  In 1971, his team became the first Panther Football Team in school history to win a Smoky Mountain Conference Championship title.  In 2012 along with his team, he was inducted into the Franklin High Athletic Hall of Fame.

Pat was a member of the Franklin First United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school and actively served on several committees.  He was a past member of the Franklin Rotary Club and the Franklin Jaycees.  He was current Chairman of the Franklin ABC Board.  Pat was an avid sportsman who enjoyed golfing, camping, and being outdoors.  But most of all, he loved his family.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carolyn "Sissy" Dowdle Pattillo; two children, George "Rocky" Pattillo and wife Pam of Franklin; Meg Pattillo Sutton and husband TJ of Easley, SC; four grandchildren, Quinton and Madison Pattillo, Elizabeth and Landon Sutton; one sister, Anna Pattillo Hammett and husband Ken of Inman, SC, along with several cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial "Celebration of Life" will be held at 2:00pm Saturday, March 26th at Franklin First United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends 12:00 ‑ 2:00pm prior to the service at the church.

Memorials may be made to Angel Hospice, 170 Church Street, Franklin, NC  28734 or Mission Rathbun House, 121 Sherwood Road, Asheville, NC 28803.

Bryant‑Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences are available at bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.