Tommie Lewis Patton

    Tommie L Patton passed away peacefully July 17th, 2018.  Tommie was born October 29th, 1934 to Lewis & Lucie Dean Harbert Patton in Concord, California. He married Connie Reeves December 18th, 1955 in Merrill, Oregon.  Their marriage was later solemnized in the Los Angeles LDS Temple.

     Dad did many things during his life time; everything from participating in rodeo - riding bulls and bareback horses, serving on the local school board while living in Montana, to being a certified softball umpire - spending many evenings on the softball field.

     Dad worked on Purebred cattle ranches in Washington, Oregon, California, Montana, Idaho, Nebraska and Virginia. He showed cattle from Baltimore to San Francisco, Calgary to Mississippi and all points in between. He showed many champions including National Champions in multiple breeds. One of his greatest accomplishments was being the first person to earn Herdsman of the Year in both the Angus and Polled Hereford Associations, a feat rarely duplicated since.

     After suffering a broken neck in a ranching accident, Dad became a long haul truck driver for almost 20 years and traveled many, many miles across the United States.  During this time he discovered his talent of writing and memorizing cowboy poetry. He had an amazing gift to not only write poems but to memorize them as well. He often did this on his long road trips. He was awarded the Silver Quill Award from the Cowboy Poets of Idaho for his skills. He loved sharing them with others; when people came to visit they would often request a poem from him. He continued to entertain people with this special talent until the end. 

     Dad was an avid sports fan and was a devoted supporter of his children and grandchildren’s sporting events.  He loved attending and when circumstances wouldn’t allow, he called after every game for a recap. Dad also served faithfully in his church callings, and especially loved teaching the youth of the church and has kept in contact with a large number of those he taught.

     Tommie is preceded in death by his parents and wife, Connie. He is survived by his 4 children, Becki (Brian) Teerlink – Waynesboro, VA, Mike (Julie) Patton – Gooding, ID, John (Karen) Patton – Spring Creek, NV, and Don (Valerie) Patton – Roy, UT; 11 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 1 brother, Jerry (Jeanie) Patton.

     The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Hospice Visions for their loving and kind care.

     The family will greet friends beginning at 10:00 AM Saturday July 21st prior to services at the Gooding LDS church. The funeral services will follow starting at 11:00. Interment at Gooding’s Elmwood Cemetery.

     Condolences, memories and photos can be shared with the family by following the obituary link at www.demarayfuneralservice.com.

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