James Raymond Patterson Jr., "Coach Patterson", 75, retired educator and coach, passed away Friday, December 5, 2025, at Senatobia Healthcare and Rehab in Senatobia.
Funeral services were held Monday, December 8, 2025, at Pate-Jones Funeral Home, with Hunter Lacefield presiding over the service. Burial followed at Senatobia Memorial Cemetery.
Coach Patterson was a lifelong educator and coach at Magnolia Heights School for over 38 years. He loved and lived for his students and athletes. Everyone who has been involved with Magnolia Heights and the Mississippi Association for Independent Schools has a story/memory about Coach Patterson, and how he made a difference in their life.
During his tenure at Magnolia Heights, he served in all capacities of education: teacher, coach, and administrator. If someone had a question, he could answer it and was willing to help in any way he could.
During his coaching career at Magnolia Heights, he was involved with every sport except for soccer. In 1985 Coach Patterson and Coach Jamie Howell led the Lady Chiefs basketball team to a perfect 37-0 season, winning both the AA Championship and the Overall State Championship. His varsity Lady Chiefs basketball teams had an overall record of 495 wins and 140 losses, and his junior high girls’ teams had an undefeated streak of 63 games. In 1995, he introduced softball, leading his teams to 3 North Half Championships, and three North Half and three Overall State Runner-Up titles.
Coach Patterson is survived by his wife, Jean Patterson of Senatobia; daughter, Karen Patterson of Ripley; brother, George G. “Pat” Patterson of Oxford; stepdaughter, Lisa King (Jon) of Franklin, Tenn.; and two step-grandsons, Max and Henry.
Memorials may be sent to Magnolia Heights for the James R. Patterson scholarship.
