Samuel Patton

Samuel Dellette Sam Patton Jr., 68, of Great Falls, a retired supply technician for the Montana National Guard, died on Thursday, August 16, 2012 of complications due to an illness at a local hospital.A graveside service with military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at Highland Park Cemetery in Havre, Montana.A celebration of life will immediately follow at Hill County Electric hospitality room.Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Sam was born on November 20, 1943 to Samuel and Marjorie Midge (Kelley) Patton in Sanborn, Iowa.They moved to Montana in 1950.He attended schools in Box Elder and Havre, and then graduated from Kremlin in 1962. On July 27, 1963, he married Evelyn Mary Lathrop in Havre.Sam joined the Army National Guard in 1963 and retired from the Guard in 1999.He owned several businesses throughout his life.He spent his remaining years traveling with Evelyn throughout the western United States and Mexico in the RV and camping in Beaver Creek Park.Some of Sams interests were travel, restoring cars, woodworking, solar energy, camping, fishing, and spending time with family and friends.He will be greatly missed.Samuel is survived by his wife of 49 years, Evelyn Patton of Great Falls; son Sam (Susan) Patton of Woodinville, WA; daughters, Leanne (Blane) Mortensen of Livingston and Jamie (Merritt) Robbins of Havre; sister Melva (Bob) Gustafson of Chisago City, MN; grandchildren Jessi (Russell) Gregoire, Colton Robbins, Ashlan Mortensen, and Oliver Patton; great-grandchildren Jordan, Courtney, and Brooklyn Gregoire; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Marjorie Patton.In lieu of flowers, memorials in Sams honor may be made to Beaver Creek Park, 17863 Beaver Creek Road, Havre, MT59501.Condolences may be left for the family at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.