John T. Pataky

John T. Pataky, 90, of Lookout Mountain, GA, passed away suddenly at his home on Tuesday, September 13, 2022. Mr. Pataky was a graduate of The McCallie School and Georgia Tech. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and returned to “The Ridge” where he taught all levels of mathematics for 50+ years to “his boys.” John was a head coach for 46+ years, coaching and mentoring thousands of McCallie boys who remained close to his heart. He coached Cross Country, Track, Soccer, and Swimming for 106+ athletic seasons. The Math Center, as well as the McCallie Aquatics Center, are named in his honor. John lived by a lifelong motto of “Honor, Truth, and Duty “! As well as Excellence which he strived for in life, the classroom, As well as in the pool or on the field . The list of his accomplishments would be too long to list here. John made a huge impact on the lives of over 6000 McCallie students He taught and coached in a career span of over 50 years. They will never forget Coach Pataky. John was a numbers guy all his life and could tell you the times and wins set by so many of ‘His boys” that He was SO very proud of. Mr. Pataky was preceded in death by his parents, Tibor & Ellen Pataky, first wife, Alice Pataky, “daughter-in-love”, Vickie White, and a precious granddaughter, Ashleigh Lusk. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of “20 glorious years” as he just remarked last week, Debbie Martin Pataky; sister, Mary Haynie of New Hope, PA; nieces & nephews, Karen, Brian, David & Keith; Debbie’s daughter that he loved as his own, Melissa (Jimmy) Bryant; son-in-law, Bill White; grandsons, Robert Lusk, Tripp White, & Rhett White; great-granddaughter, Alyissa Sue. Mr. Pataky will be laid to rest in a private service at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. Should you choose to contribute to John’s memory, these are two funds that were dear to his heart. The Faculty Support Fund, The McCallie School, 500 Dodd’s Avenue, Chattanooga, Tenn.37404 Or to the Vickie White Memorial Fund, North Lafayette Elementary School, 610 N. Duke Street Lafayette, Ga 30728. A Memorial Service will be held 2 PM ET in the Chapel on the McCallie School Campus on Sunday October 2.

John T. Pataky

March 12, 1932 - September 13, 2022