Ron (Bud) Patton was born on October 15, 1942 to Seymour J & Frances J (Pinoli) Patton in Eureka, California. He was the beloved baby brother of Pat Patton Ferguson. As siblings often do, they annoyed and teased each other as children but as they grew up and matured, no brother and sister could reflect more Love and genuine caring than Bud and Pat!
Bud attended Lincoln Elementary & Eureka Junior High, graduating from Eureka High School in 1960. He worked at JC Penney during high school and attended Humboldt State University. Little did he know that his employment in the mailroom with Bank of America would begin a 41-year career that led him to the one city he did not choose!
His Management Training was interrupted by Greetings from Uncle Sam! He was sent to Oakland, CA in June 1964 and did Basic Training at Camp Roberts. Although the Vietnam War was escalating, Bud was assigned to Germany as Personnel Management Specialist.
One of his responsibilities included sending young men to the war zone and he mentioned how he was occasionally moved to tears by their reactions. In May 1966 he was officially discharged from the Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey – traveling back to Eureka via a side trip to Kirksville and LaPlata, Missouri to visit with his paternal grandparents and family. He returned to Bank of America as Assistant Branch Manager in Eureka.
After several years a promotion brought Bud to San Francisco (because of its size, his least favorite choice) where he worked his way from the Branch and into Operations. He spent several years at World Headquarters in The City as a Manager & Vice President of Operations! After 41 years Bud was force-retired from the Bank after a merger & spent two years with Bank of the West until he took an early retirement in 2004!
Bud married Sharon Krick in 1961 and on January 4, 1962 he became a Dad to a cute little red-haired boy named Fred Patton! For all the years of Bud’s life, Fred has loved & honored his Dad, shared a passion for old cars & auto racing, and in the last weeks of his life Fred never wavered in his devotion to his beloved Dad! A second marriage to Jo Elizalde produced a daughter named Elizabeth.
Bud became a Proud Grandfather when Fred married Loretta Raymond & within a few short years his first two granddaughters Kimberly and Ashley won his heart! Joining their older cousins, grandsons Jamie & Trevor added to Bud’s happiness! Pat’s late husband Jim Ferguson became a dear and treasured ‘Brother’ & best friend to Bud.
Together with Bud’s nephews Pete and Mike Ferguson, they enjoyed endless adventures including deer hunting, hiking, motorcyle racing & salmon fishing in Alaska! In 1994 a new & lasting Love was on the horizon in Bud’s life – A redhead named Christine caught his eye at the Bank and the rest was an amazing Love Story to this day! Bud & Chris married on 4th of July 1997!
There would always be Fireworks & they would never forget their Anniversary! Bud acquired three bonus children from Chris – Eric Christensen (Courtney), Nicole Crancer (Doug) and Amy Calhan! And Bud was at the births of his four additional grandchildren – Ashleen, Brendan, & Meaghan Calhan and the youngest Madelyn Crancer!
Bud easily won the hearts of Chris’s entire family of Polish relatives including his bonus sisters, Joanne and Helene and their children Shainna and Erinne who treasured him & his much appreciated advice, kindness, humor and guaranteed presence at every special event in their lives! Kimberly gave birth to Bud’s two great-grandchildren Samantha & Lukas & with Jess in their lives, Bud’s immediate Family was complete! His many nieces and nephews & bonus sisters & friends surrounded Bud throughout his 75 years!
Bud & Chris had a 5th Wheel and fulfilled their dream of traveling throughout the West, with their cherished cat, Daisy, as far as Indianapolis to the Indy 500 Brickyard! For close to 14 years they shared incredible adventures together camping with family & appreciating the Wonders of Our America! Bud planned the Routes and Chris kept the Journals!
Some of their best road trips were shared with their friends, Bob & Doreen! Bud left this world on Labor day-September 3rd 2018. Although Leukemia and Lymphoma caused his life to end much too soon, this Vibrant, Talented, Stubborn to a Fault, Amazing, Loving, Smiling, Fun Man – Husband, Dad, Grampa, Great-Grampa, Brother, Uncle & All -Around Great Guy will always touch the hearts of We who loved him and always will!
May the road rise up to meet you! May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face today, & the rains fall soft upon your field, And until we meet again, Dearest Bud, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand! Heartfelt gratitude to the Hospice of the East Bay for their invaluable support & care of Bud & his family through the final days of his illness!
We will never forget! www.
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