Beloved Atlanta personality 'Phantom of the Fox' dies

FILE -In this Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010 file photo, Joe Patten, 83, known as the "Phantom of the Fox", who has lived above the historic Fox Theatre in Atlanta for the past 31 years, stands outside the theatre, in Atlanta. Patten, who lived above Atlanta's Fox Theatre and is credited with twice helping to save the landmark, has died. He was 89. Patten was a founding trustee of a group created to raise money to save the Fox from demolition in the 1970s. He had lived above the Fox since 1979 and helped save it a second time when a fire started in the early morning hours of April 15, 1996. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE -In this Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010 file photo, Joe Patten, 83, known as the "Phantom of the Fox", who has lived above the historic Fox Theatre in Atlanta for the past 31 years, is shown inside his apartment. in Atlanta. Patten, who lived above Atlanta's Fox Theatre and is credited with twice helping to save the landmark, has died. He was 89. Patten was a founding trustee of a group created to raise money to save the Fox from demolition in the 1970s. He had lived above the Fox since 1979 and helped save it a second time when a fire started in the early morning hours of April 15, 1996. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks, File) (The Associated Press)

ATLANTA – Joe Patten, who lived above Atlanta's Fox Theatre and is credited with twice helping to save the landmark, has died. He was 89.

Emory University spokesman Vince Dollard said in an email that Joe Patten, known as the "Phantom of the Fox," died Thursday at Emory University Hospital Midtown. He did not have details on the cause of death.

A statement from Patten's family says he died "surrounded by family and friends and listening to his favorite organ music."

Patten was a founding trustee of a group created to raise money to save the Fox from demolition in the 1970s. He had lived above the Fox since 1979 and helped save it a second time when a fire started in the early morning hours of April 15, 1996.