Obituary:
ARTHUR ALBERT PATTON
From the moment Arthur Albert Patton was born in Lancaster, New Hampshire to Arthur A. Patton and Nellie B. Baird on 7/20/1927, he lived his life with optimism to the fullest. Pop answered ‘YES’ to every invitation, believing you can always sleep later. Art slumbered into his final sleep on 4/5/2020 into the awaiting arms of loved ones passed before him.
He married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Lenehan, upon returning from his Merchant Marine service as a veteran of WWII. Together, they lovingly raised five children and enjoyed eight grandchildren. At every opportunity, Art and Kathleen took road trips to share outdoor adventures with the family. Art was skilled in many areas: mechanics, welding, painting cars, hunting, fishing, computers, mentoring, and as it turned out, even sewing and baking. Art worked and was a shop steward at Nevada Energy until his retirement in 1992. His passion for mentoring led him to become the President of the Optimist Club, that nurtured work ethics and exposed boys and young men to community service opportunities.
After retiring, Art and Kathleen began their extensive RV travel throughout the US and Canada. In Canada, he attended hockey games, ice-fished, rode snow mobiles and traveled by helicopter for salmon fishing. At age 85, he still managed to knock down a bull elk. Over the past decade, Art contributed sewing machine repairs and sewing abilities to the Sun City Quilting Club, whose charity made baby blankets for a local children’s organization. Art sewed alongside his ‘quilting gals’ of whom he cherished as his extended sisters. At home, his time was spent on the computer: You-Tubing fiddlers and repair programs, watching cowboy and war series, Skyping with family and friends and emailing. There was always time to chat on the phone, go to yard sales for sewing machines and tools, and of course, accepting any and all invitations.
With that said, our family invites you to share your thoughts and memories of Art on this virtual memorial site. Also posted here are remembrances, photos and comments. A Celebration-of-Life gathering will be planned for a later date. Interment at Memory Gardens Memorial Park Cemetery, in coordination with Palm Northwest Mortuary.
In Remembrance:
ARTHUR ALBERT PATTON
07/20/1927-04/05/2020
On Palm Sunday, Art peacefully floated across a palm covered pathway. We are comforted that Art has risen, during Holy Week, to the awaiting embraces of family and friends. One week to the day, Easter Sunday, a time for opening our hearts to hope, the renewal of life and life everlasting.
Arthur Albert Patton faded from his loved ones on this earth into the loving arms of his wife-Kathleen, son-Paul, brother Albert (Bud), parents, mother-Nellie & father-Arthur; and into the welcoming embrace of other family members and dear friends.
Art cherished the family he and Kathleen raised together and watched expand. But truly, he was a father to everyone who knew him. If you spent any time with Art, you were family. He delighted in fiddle music, dancing, outdoorsy things, and especially, opportunities to mentor others.
When his children’s friends came around, without even knowing them, he’d holler from under the hood, “Hand me that wrench over there.” Then preceded to explain the mechanics of what he was doing. Art made all those around him feel at home, a part of what was going on, and built their confidence up enough to give it a try, one step at a time. Before long, they were able to change a filter, hook a fishing line, jury-rig a car and most recently, learn how to sew.
Art would roar with laughter whenever he pulled off a prank or made-up an elaborate story. After a successful bull elk hunt when he was a mere 85, he returned to quilting club and shared with his ‘girls’ that he had the elk’s bugler tooth implanted in his mouth. That this ivory elk’s tooth whistle was a mating call to all the cows or female elk. He warned them if he whistled from now on, they wouldn’t be able to resist heading his way. He secretly blew through an elk caller and the ladies turned around and had a good laugh and he, especially, would double-over in laughter. After his wife passed, he brought her unfinished quilts to be completed by the Sun City Quilting Club. The quilting ladies embraced him and became his endearing extended sisters. Every Wednesday, Art never failed to bring a freshly baked cake to share with his quilting gals. Thank you for making him feel at home and guiding him through so many treasured quilts he was able to pass on.
Above all, Art was a dedicated family man. There’s no ticker tape for a loyal husband, guiding father and responsible head of household. He made sure his family was fed, clothed and that the value of an education was ingrained early on and reinforced thereafter. Family vacations were limitless outdoor adventures together. It was without question, family first and foremost. Art’s children and grandchildren were the light of his life…he was so deeply proud of each and every one of them; and in turn, they respected and loved him completely.
Arthur Albert Patton will be forever remembered as ‘Everyone’s Father’.
“Don’t cry because it’s over.
Smile because it happened.”
~Dr. Seuss
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