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Kohima, Jan. 30 (EMN): Nonagenarian Rev. Yankey Patton (94), a prominent church leader, was finally laid to rest in his native Ralan New village in Wokha district following a funeral service held at Lotha Baptist Church in Diphupar, Dimapur, on Sunday.
It was informed that the man of God had been bed-ridden about six months at his residence in Diphupar before he breathed his last on January 28. Yankey is survived by a son and eight grandchildren.
Brief profile of Rev. Yankey Patton
After completing his L.Th at Jorhat in 1953, Yankey left for Vankhosung, the Lothat Baptist Church headquarters, and served as Christian Youth Promoter from 1953-56.
On December 14, 1954, he married Orenyemi Tsanglao of Shaki village, the first Lotha woman evangelist.
On July 12, 1956, he was appointed as their first chaplain of NNC.
He invoked God's blessings when the first Naga Independence Day was celebrated on August 14, 1946, after the formation of the Federal Government in Hankvu village in the district.
After completing his term as the chaplain for four years, he served as the pastor of Wokha Town Baptist Church from 1960-75.
On November 1964, he was ordained as Reverend after completing his service as pastor of Wokha Town Baptist Church. He was elected as an executive secretary of KBES (an apex Lotha Baptist Churches Association) between 1976-1980.
In 1981, he moved to Pangti, the biggest village in Wokha district and served as a pastor till 1986. In 1987, he served as Police Chaplain at the 1st NAP Headquarters, Chümoukedima.
With Rev. J Thungjamo, Rev. Dr. Phuveyi and Akrole Mero, they published an English hymn book for the church.
On February 2, 1989, the Police church also got registered under NBCC. From 1989 till 2002, Rev. Yankey served as the state chaplain.
In 2002, he was inducted as Missionary At Large by the Kohima Lotha Baptist Church and served till 2004.
Rev. Yankey's official assignments as a servant of God came to an end on March 1, 2004, thereby completing 52 years of service to God.
However, he continued to pursue missionary activities and visited Karbi Anglong in Assam, Tripura, Arunachal and border areas of China until age finally caught up with him.