Charles Robert Patton

charles patton
Charles R. Patton Asheville ~ Charles R. Patton, 94, of Ballantree Drive, died Saturday, August 9, 2008, after a brief illness, at Mission Hospital and Asheville Surgery Center. A native of Franklin, NC, he was the son of the late Robert A. and Mamie Slagle Patton. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, James D., George E. and Lewis W. Patton and one sister, Helen F. Patton. Charlie received a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State College in 1935 and took a job with the state highway commission as a surveyor. Later in 1935, he began a 38 year career with the Soil Conservation Service under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He was the first President of the N.C. chapter of the Soil Conservation Society of America in 1951. He was also the district supervisor and chairman of the Soil and Water Conservation of Buncombe County District from 1976-1986 and president of the N.C. Association of SWCD in 1983. He initiated and led the implementation of "Soil and Water '84 – Yours For Life" and was inducted into the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2003, at the age of 89, Charlie attained accreditation as a Registered Parlementarian of the National Association of Parlementations. Whereas he was one of the principal leaders in the successful struggle to end the unconstitutional taxation by the state of North Carolina of earned federal retirement benefits, Chapter 156 of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees resolved in 2004 to be known as the Charles R. Patton Chapter 156 of NARFE. Charlie's interests were his family, politics and gardening. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years and 11 months, Sarah Gulledge Patton; three daughters, Mary P. Shutko and her husband, Fred, of Houston, TX, Anne Patton of Asheville and Martha Brown and her husband, Erby, of Johnson City, TN; one son, Charles H. Patton and his wife, Tina, of Memphis, TN; grandchildren, Allan Reaves, Tina Martin, Candice Burdin and Nicole Shutko; great-grandchildren, Noah, Tatum and Cooper Reaves, Stephen and Kasey Martin and Ava and Colette Burdin. He is also survived by brothers, Mack Patton of Murphy, NC and Andrew Patton of McKinney, TX. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian with Dr. Wallace H. Kirby of Central United Methodist Church officiating. Graveside services will be held at a later date at Patton United Methodist Church in Franklin, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to any of the following: Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Meals-On-Wheels, 146 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC 28802.

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  1. Charlie,
    Our thoughts are with you and your family. Your father was a great presence in this world and left a great legacy in his family, work, and passions for life.
    Our Condolences,
    Gary & Sharon Jordan

  2. Charlie was like a grandfather to me and my brother, Dinesh, as we were growing up in Asheville. I will always remember going over to visit him and Aunt Sarah during our breaks in college, and receiving such wonderful goodies from them during the Christmas season. They shared their love and were loved by everyone around them. I am so grateful to have had Charlie and Sarah in my life. My condolences to Sarah and the rest of the family.

  3. Setsuko, Sarah, Elaine, Andy and I all are saddened and send our thoughts and prayers to Aunt Sarah, Martha, Mimi, Anne, and Charlie.

    I appreciated the extensive research Uncle Charlie had done on family history, which is truly interesting.

    He and his brothers and sister typified ‘the greatest generation.’

    Even at age 94, he was more active and energetic than some 40-year olds I know. I will miss his e-mails and all-too-rare conversations.

    Love, Bob Patton and family

  4. Dear Martha,

    My heart goes out to you, dear friend, for the loss of your father. I know how close you were. You know I understand what you are feeling. May God bless you and keep you and give you the courage and strength you need to deal with everything. I will pray for you and your family to find confort. Much love, Sandy

  5. Martha,
    So sorry to hear of your father’s passing. You are in my prayers. Your father sounded like an interesting man and an asset to this earth.
    Take care,
    Pat Bradley

  6. I first learned about the legendary ‘Uncle CR’ in 1976 as Dave gave me insights into the Patton family. Dave had special and fond memories of you, and I will always remember your wit, your wisdom, your tomatoes and garden, and your love of family. You’ll be missed, CR! Love and sympathies to Aunt Sarah and the kids/grandkids/great grandkids.
    xxx Linda

  7. Charlie was a prince among men who knew a lot about everything. He and Sarah were the best neighbors ever and actually acted the role of grandparents to our children for all 18 years we shared their neighborhood. Sarah and Charlie Patton were synonimus with Ballantree. He will always have a special place in our hearts. We are so saddened to hear of his passing,but comforted by the fact that he didn’t suffer long. Please accept our heartfelt condolences. You are in our prayers. Wendell and Sharon Moses

  8. May God be with the family and help them through this hard time. Mr. Patton was a very kind and loving man and will always be remembered for all the good he did for his family and friends. May you rest in peace.

  9. Martha,
    Just wanted to let you know we’re praying for you and your family. Don’t hesitate to let us know if there is anything we can do for you!
    Love,
    Dennis, Jamie, Ethan and Emily

  10. Martha,
    I was very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. May God be with you and comfort you and your family during this difficult time. I will be thinking and praying for you. Love, Lisa Lowe

  11. Martha, I was sorry to learn about your father’s passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Lynne Ray

  12. Martha, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It is hard to lose a Dad. I still miss mine. I love you and will be thinking of you and your family. Lois

  13. Martha, We were so sorry to hear about the loss of your Father.I am sure God will be with you and your family during this time. We will keep you in our prayers. Love Chad and Carla Baxter

  14. I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers!!

  15. Martha, Just so you know I am thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. Love you.

  16. Martha,
    So sorry to hear about your loss. May god give you a great abundance of strength during this time. You are in my prayers. I love and appreciate you as a friend and co-worker. Jimmy Waddell

  17. Martha,
    I so sorry to hear about your dad. I sure you have many wonderful memories of him. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Maureen

  18. Remembering you and your family in my prayers. May the Lord comfort and keep you during your time of loss.

  19. Martha & family,
    Will keep you & the family in my thoughts & prayers at this very difficult time of loss. May God’s strength be with each of you now & in the days to come. May your memories of you husband, dad, &
    grandfather keep him alive in your hearts. in love, Ann Shepard

  20. Martha,
    You are fortunate to have shared so many years with your father even though I know it doesn’t make his passing any easier. I am sending a special prayer your way for peace and comfort. God bless you.

  21. I was so sorry to hear about your father. May God bless you and your family with peace and strength during this difficult time.

    Love and prayers, Donna Freeman

  22. Martha,

    I am sorry to hear of the loss of your father. I pray that God will give you and your family peace and strength during this time. May his memories be cherished in your hearts for years to come.

    Love and Prayers,
    Teri

  23. Martha, I am so sorry to hear about your father. Reading his obituary certainly indicated he had a very full and interesting life. I know you will miss him greatly.

  24. Sara, Anne, and all Charley’s family,

    Our condolences. Charley will be much missed by our community. Hopefully one day Charley’s ‘speed hump’ will arrive!
    Ruth and George Ribaud

  25. Martha,What a fine looking gentleman your father appears.I’m sure he was a wise and kind man to have raised such a nice person as yourself. My fa-in-law, age 92, will be living with us next month. These fellows have plenty of stories to tell.May memories and prayers sustain you.

  26. I was privileged to have known and worked with Charley for several years. Always a consummate gentleman and professional in every venue, he led by example and was successful in his ventures. It is with deep sadness that I learn of his death. Be comforted by the short tenure of his illness and remember the good times as I have done over the years.

  27. Kathy and I along with the kids Caroline and Andy send our condolences. As a car guy I was proud of my uncle’s recently acing the BMW course and bragged on it recently. I was delighted to hear about that.
    CR was always a great source of family lore and history and humor. I’m thinking about all of at this time, with an extra hug to Anne. We will not be able to be in Arden because of travel business unfortunately.

    Phil Patton, Kathy Caroline and Andy

  28. Martha,
    I was so sorry to hear of the death of your father. I am sure he was a precious man. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Terry

  29. Martha, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I know this is a difficult time for all of you.

  30. Martha, Please accept my condolences for your family’s loss. My prayers for are with you.

    With love, Pat

  31. Your family is in our thoughts and prays during this difficult time. Everyone at Allchem sends their condolences. God Bless your family!!!

  32. Martha, I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your Father. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

    Love,
    Donna Morrell

  33. To All the Patton Family,
    Charley was such a wonderful friend of my father’s as they worked together with SCS. Having just lost my dad, Robert Fisher, 7 1/2 months ago I totally understand your loss. Charley wrote me the sweetest email after my dad’s death and I have kept it in my email to read frequently. May you all remember the precious times you shared in life and find comfort that one day you will see him again. May God bless and comfort you at this time.

  34. Martha:
    I was do saddened to hear about your father. You and your family have had a very trying time; and please know that you can call on me, anytime, for anything.

    With love, thoughts, and prayers,
    Donna Robbins

  35. I started work for the state in soil and water conservation during 1980. At that time Charlie was the state president and orchestrated the state annual meeting in Asheville. Charlie also established the first state long range planning committee. He brought vision and leadership to soil and water conservation. Charlie was always a gentleman and a scholar. Through the years I have heard many compliments regarding Charlie. I know that you will miss him as a husband and father, as you treasure the memories. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

  36. I will always remember Charlie Patton for the lasting impact he had on our NC Soil & Water Conservation programs. When he was President of the State Association, in 1983, he pushed through what has become the NC Agriculture Cost Share Program and awarded me his President’s Award for my part in developing that program.I shall miss knowing that Charlie is tending his garden this time of year.

  37. I spoke with Mr. Patton for a couple of hours several years ago. He called me to share stories of growing up with my grandfather, great-uncle, and great-aunts.
    I have always greatly appreciated that call, and was very sorry to hear of his passing.


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