John Patton Obituary

John Ernest Patton was born May 30, 1932, in Turon, Kansas, a tiny farming settlement. He was the first son of Ernest E. Patton and R. Lenore Yowell Patton. The family soon made a move to Los Angeles, California seeking better opportunities in those years of depression, and then war. Johnny began his education there in California and stepped happily into the role of big brother, a role in which he excelled. Here his life-long, characteristics began to be shaped and grow. He was a natural caretaker, and he took good care of his little brother and then little sister in a way that lasted all his life.

John married the love of his life and the "prettiest girl in the world", who happened to be miss Charlieen Griffith from Dove Creek, CO, in September of 1953. The two young people began their sixty-two years of marriage in Boulder, CO, then moved back to Cortez after graduation. John settled back into work at the Service Station and then Uncle Sam sent a letter which drafted Johnny into the US Army. He spent two years in the service and returned home to Cortez. After another stint at the Service Station, he was drafted again, this time by Montezuma County School District, to teach at Lakeview Rural school as an emergency teacher. He was happy in this role and decided to become certified to teach, earning his master's at Adams State College in Alamosa, CO.

As an adult, Johnny was very active in the local community. He taught sixth grade, drove a school bus, coached basketball and volleyball, drove the activity Bus for some special trips and generally loved his students for 30 plus years. Even after his retirement and up until he was 90 years old, he helped run the Elementary School Field Day at the end of each school year. Not only did he coach, but he also played on church and city basketball teams, as well as volleyball. He did love sports and had inherited an athletic talent. Sports was his second love.

Johnny really liked people and most seemed to like him as well. Children were drawn to him, and he loved them all. His family found that every time we went to town with him, there were current students and former students, greeting him, so pleased to see him and remember a class or team. He also remembered them, hundreds of names and details. Right up to his last days in the Care Home, former students were happy to see him and care for him.

Johnny was a member of the Elks. He was involved in various organizations and projects around the area. He was so involved that it seemed almost the whole Montezuma County population knew him. Wherever we went he was greeted by smiles and conversation.

In January of 2005, he was notified that he had been voted Citizen of the Year for 2004 and presented with a plaque from Cortez Chamber of Commerce. He was very flattered by the honor and cherished the occasion.

John and his wife Charlieen cared for both sets of aging parents and always extended that loving care to their younger brothers and sisters. He was a caretaker and family man down to his last breath.

Of course, we all know that the only perfect man ever to walk the earth was Jesus Christ, but Johnny tried hard throughout his long life to live in His Lord's footsteps. This endeavor resulted in a truly good life. Friends and family loved and esteemed him, and he truly leaves the world a better place.

John Ernest Patton died on May 10, 2025, at 9:05 a.m. He was 20 days short of ninety-three years of age. He was preceded in death by his wife Charlieen, his parents Ernest and Lenore Patton, his brother Jim Patton, and two nephews. He is survived by his sister Carol Orrell of Cortez, one nephew, five nieces and many grandchildren nieces and nephews.