Bobby Gerald Patton

Bobby Gerald Patton, 87, of Orlando, passed away December 14, 2023.

Bob was first of all, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, as well as a retired police officer, hazard-mitigation specialist, risk management director, asbestos inspector, and civic volunteer.

He was born Oct. 16, 1936, to parents Ruth Fuller West and Walter Jack Patton in Durant, Oklahoma. Bob’s family moved to Tulsa County in 1951. He graduated from Webster High School in 1954, then graduated from Draughon’s Business College in 1955. He graduated in 1967 from the University of Minnesota Juvenile Officers’ Institute, with additional study at Tulsa Junior College and the University of Tulsa in police science, psychology, safety, and management.

He was married 68 years to Ann Patton, a writer. The couple has four children and 13 grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bob and Ann moved to Orlando in 2015 for health and family reasons. He was a member of Orlando’s First Unitarian Church; the League of Women Voters of Orange County, Florida; and Tulsa’s All Souls Unitarian Church.

Bob never met a stranger. He delighted in swapping stories and sharing jokes with any and all, from friends and family to strangers on the street. He also loved travel and visited every state and 16 foreign countries. After he moved to Orlando in 2015, he enjoyed hosting family for the Daytona 500 and visiting Florida beaches. In his red 4-wheel scooter, Bob and his beloved dog Clyde explored their neighborhood every day.

Bob’s community service was legend. He garnered more than 50 local awards for civic volunteer work over half a century, mostly in Southwest Tulsa.  As examples, he was named to the Webster High School Hall of Fame; a Melvin Jones Fellow by Lions Clubs International and Lion of the Year; and Volunteer of the Year by the Westside YMCA. He received a lifetime achievement award from the Oklahoma Public Employees Association in 1990 and a service award from the Red Fork Lions Club in 1999.

Bob was a busy board member of many service organizations. He was a 52-year member of the Red Fork Lions Club, 1962-2014, serving as president, secretary, and a Lions state District Governor in 1979-80. Among his favorite Lions projects were running the annual pancake breakfast and the concessions at Webster football games. He was a member of the Westside YMCA Board of Directors for 18 years, 1964-1982, and served as chair. He was a founding member of the Western Neighbors Board of Directors, 1981-2001.  And he served on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association, 1986-1998.

He is survived by his wife Ann of Orlando; four children: Beth Franklin (husband Karl Mawhirter) of Independence, MO; David Patton (wife Dina) of Silver City, NM; Michael Patton of Tulsa; and Diane Gail Carter (husband Dave) of Orlando; twelve living grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister Carol Sue Slankard; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Their survivor grandchildren and great grandchildren are Patricia Franklin (husband Moe Fofana) of North Bend, WA; Ray Littles (wife Gabi) of Los Angeles, CA; Daniel, Malia, and Leila Franklin of Independence, MO; Shawn (wife Jayme) and Dakota Patton of Cliff, NM; Eva Patton and Braden Patton of Tulsa; Tony Colina of Orlando; and Liz Colina Boisseau (husband Kevin) and daughter Margaret of Orlando.

Bob was preceded in death by his brother Charles West and granddaughter Sandra Patton. 

Memorial services are set for 1 p.m. Friday, January 12, at First Unitarian Church, Orlando.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Unitarian Church, Orlando https://orlandouu.org or All Souls Unitarian Church, Tulsa https://allsoulschurch.org/