PASSAIC, N.J. — Emerson “Jay, J.J.” VanPatten III died on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, after a long illness at Kindred Hospital East in Passaic, New Jersey. He was 75.

He was born on Nov. 13, 1948 in Albany and graduated from Guilderland High School in 1966. He went on to graduate from the State University of New York at Albany with a bachelor of science degree in political science and sociology.

He enlisted in the United States Army, serving from August 1967 to May 1970, and spent 16 months with the USARPAC (U.S. Army Pacific) in Korea. 

“A sports lover all his life,” his family wrote in a tribute, “in his school years, Jay was an avid athlete participating in Little League and high school team sports. He enjoyed following many sports, especially college basketball.

“Jay enjoyed golfing and developed a great love for horses and horse racing. He was an owner and part owner of several standard bred horses.

“Jay was a long-time, very respected and well-liked employee of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, where he retired in 2002. He steadily advanced during his state service and retired as Program Director of the Regional Processing Center and IFTA E-filing project.”

****

Emerson J. VanPatten III is survived by his wife, Tara VanPatten, and cherished sons, Jack T. and Spencer S. VanPatten.

He is also survived by his sister, Linda Sornberger, of Altamont; by his brothers, Jan (Gail) VanPatten of Duanesburg, Chris (Carlene) VanPatten of Princetown; and by his sister, Lisa (Patrick) Clark of Delanson, and his sister-in-law, Jill VanPatten of Guilderland.

He is survived, too, by Aunt Hannah Ivers of Jamestown, North Carolina; numerous cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and co-workers; by his mother in-law, Jude Wilcox (Harold Oppelt) of Rotterdam, New York; by his father-in-law, Daniel Taylor of Rotterdam; and by his brother in-law Shane Taylor of Schenectady. 

His parents, Emerson Jr. and Elizabeth (née Ivers) VanPatten of Altamont, died before him, as did his brother, Jeffrey D. VanPatten of Guilderland, and brother in-law, Lee N. Sornberger of Altamont.

Calling hours and a memorial service will be held at DeMarco Stone Funeral Home at 5216 Western Ave. in Guilderland on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. 

He will be buried in a private ceremony at the Gerald Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery with military honors.

“The family would like to express appreciation for the care and compassion of Jay’s doctors and nurses at St Peter’s Hospital, Ellis Hospital ICU, Kindred Hospital East, and the Stratton VA Medical Center,” the tribute said.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Regional Food Bank or an organization supporting United States veterans.