In the early morning hours of January 5th, 2019 Dee Marlin Patton passed away in his sleep at St. Peters hospital in Helena, Montana. He was 94 years young.
Dee was born in Glendive, Montana Sept 10, 1924 to his parents Dee Arthur Patton and Olivia A. Patton (Forster). He was the oldest of two sons, his younger brother John W. Patton.
Dee was raised in Glendive, Harlowton and Dillon Montana. He was an avid fisherman and sportsman. Dee was a musician playing trumpet in the High School Band. After graduating High School Dee attended Montana State College for one year and entered into service for World War II, June 1943. Dee participated in battles and campaigns including Normandy, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. His decorations included the European Theater Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Croix De Guerre, and the Bronze Service Arrowhead. Worked with Combat Engineers in the European Theater of Operations. Dee received his Honorable Discharge on January 5, 1946.
After leaving the military he continued his education at Montana State College, graduating in 1949. He graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering. Dee was soon employed by the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company.
Dee continued to work for the Bell System and while visiting Northwestern Bank and Trust in Helena met the love of his life, Judith A. Carroll (Halverson). They married April 21, 1962. Living in Helena for a short time, they followed his employment to Missoula, Montana in 1964. Living in the city worked well for a time, but the call of the outdoors lead the Patton’s to purchase a gentleman farm outside of Missoula. This is where they raised their 3 sons, Gregory, Marlin and Corey. Many fun times were had by the family living a rural life. Dee commuted to work daily advancing his Engineering profession while maintaining his rural lifestyle. Dee was promoted to State Engineer and moved back to Helena in 1974. He and Judy built a home in the Helena Valley. They enjoyed all of the wildlife the area had to offer, the sons hunting small game and fishing at the nearby streams and lakes. Dee had a fourtunate career and retired in the mid-80’s.
Dee and Judy moved to easier living once the sons were on their own.
Dee was an avid reader and spent much of his time learning. Before marrying, Dee was a member of the Belmont Ski Patrol outside of Helena. Dee was active and involved in The Masonic Temple, Morning Star Lodge No. 5. Dee was also a member of Algeria Shrine Patrol. In many of his activities he valued volunteering at Fort Harrison Veterans Administration Hospital, functioned as a DeMolay Dad, and participated in several Men’s coffee groups which he enjoyed greatly.
Preceding Dee in death are his parents and brother John and his wife Virginia.
Dee is survived by his wife Judith of Helena, and his 3 sons, Gregory and Sandra Patton from Kent, Washington, Marlin and Virginia Patton from Aztec, NM and Corey and Nano Patton from Puyallup, Washington. His 3 grandchildren, Jason Patton from Tacoma, Washington, Tarra Reynolds from Farmington, NM and Tyler Patton from Kent Washington. He has one Great-Granddaughter Rilie Reynolds from Farmington, NM. He is survived by many loved Nieces and Nephews.
A memorial service celebrating Dee’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, January 14, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church, 535 N. Ewing St. in Helena, with a reception to follow in the social hall of the church. Following the reception a graveside service, with military honors, will be held at Montana State Veterans Cemetery in the Committal Shelter. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Dee are suggested to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, ℅ of Algeria Shrine Temple, PO Box 4879, Helena, Montana 59604 -or- First Presbyterian Church in Helena. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Dee.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday January 14, 2019
1st Presbyterian Church
535 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Monday January 14, 2019
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday January 14, 2019
1st Presbyterian Church
535 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Monday January 14, 2019
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana
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Arlyn and Pearle Plowman says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve this great loss.
Mary Phelps says
All our love is with you Judy, Greg and Cory. We will miss Dee terribly.
Mike & Charlie
Kerry Hughes says
Judy,
Brian and I read about Dee’s passing. Our prayers and deepest condolences are sent your way. Dee was kind, thoughtful, and genuine. We were blessed to have known him and to have been your neighbors. Having the privilege putting your Anniversary together and spending such an important time with you both brought me such joy. My memories of our little puppies playing together and walking them with Dee as well as you will be cherished deeply in my heart. May God Bless you and may you feel the Lords arms wrapped around you in love. We love you and care so much.
Kerry Hughes
Mary Kay Bennett says
My husband skied with Dee. He was always a fine gentleman.
Several years ago we had a lovely breakfast &’visit at the home of
Doctor Wynia. Blessings on the family.
Mary Kay & George Bennett
Sherry and bill mccready says
If theres anything we can do to help ease the sadness please don’t hesitate to ask. Our thoughts, prayers, and love are with you at this difficult time. Love sherry and bill, along with the rest of the family
Sherri Anderson says
Judy and Family
I was sorry to read of Dee’s passing. I have fond memories of working with Dee at Wal-Mart when he was a Door Greeter. He was always very kind and always had a smile and kind word for every one May the love and memories of Dee give you comfort in the days ahead
Nancy Burnham says
My thought and prayers are was with you Judy. I am in Texas for the winter so will not be home to attend the services. Don died 1 1/2 years ago and all I can say is the grief journey is difficult. Lets get together when I get home in April.
Christine Hoffman says
Judy,
I am so sorry for your loss of Dee. It’s something none of us want to ever go through as a spouse.
I know you had many splendid years together. I remember hearing of Dee through you many years ago. You have a wonderful man to remember.
I hope at some time we can reconnect. Gods blessings to you in this difficult time.
Many hugs!
Dani Sue (Zygmond) Crowley says
Dearest Judy, Greg, Marlin & Corey
My heart and prayers are with you today as you celebrate the special and loving memories you experienced with Dee! Dee will continue to live on in all our hearts and memories as such a gracious, loving, and kind man! His smile was always so warm and welcoming … you could tell that it represented the sincerety and warmth directly from his heart! God gave us a very special piece of Himself through Dee! Be comforted and joy-filled knowing and invisioning the incredible celebration and welcoming going on in Heaven!! Dee is now truly Home with our Father in Heaven and is made anew, fully restored to health and vitality!! He has received a Crown of Righteousness and will be Truly Alive in the Lord’s Presence!!! God probably will assign Dee to the post of being a main Greeter in Heaven!!! 🙂 Love and Hugs to you all, Dani Sue & Mike Crowley
Whit Family says
Patton Family, our hearts were saddened to read about the passing of Dee. May the many fond memories of him sustain you during this most difficult time. May you also find comfort in our Creator’s words where he promises to reunite us with our beloved ones in a perfect world where pain and sorrow will be a thing of the past. (Isa 25:8; Rev. 21:4) Our prayers are with you.
Richard Walker says
Dee, Judy, and the Patton family were (and are) so incredibly dear and precious to me; even after a few years, such a tremendously difficult and complex loss for a very precious family.