Thomas (Tommy) Patton was born on 27 July 1914 to Florence and Robert Patton. He attended Templemore Avenue School. Patton worked at Harland & Wolff shipyard from 1932 to 1961, and was subsequently employed at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum for twenty years.

He was elected to Belfast City Council in 1973, representing the Ulster Unionist Party.

Patton was awarded an OBE in 1985. He was appointed High Sheriff of Belfast in 1992. The Alderman Tommy Patton Memorial Park on Inverary Avenue, Holywood Road, is named in his honour.