Curtis Patton

Curtis Conley Patton, Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army (Retired), loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, family member, friend to so many and great American Soldier, passed away June 12, 2014 in the Veterans Administration Medical Center of Long Beach, Long Beach, CA at the age of 82.

The third of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, of John Wiley Patton and Rosa Walker Patton, Curtis Patton entered this world on January 17, 1932 in Big Stone Gap, VA. He lived most of his early life in his beloved hometown, until he left home at the age of 16 for Boston, MA and there joined the United States Army in late 1950. During the next 30 years, he served in duty posts all over the United States, Europe and Asia. Remarkably, he spent over five years in combat during the Vietnam War and emerged a decorated and much honored Senior Noncommissioned Officer. A point of great pride was that he and his brothers all served in the United States Military, three in the Army, three in the Air Force and one in the Navy, collectively totaling over 100 years of service to our Nation.

An extraordinary combat arms Soldier and leader, he served in many demanding assignments, rising through the ranks to become the Command Sergeant Major of the 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany and later served as the Command Sergeant Major of Fort Dix, NJ. Always, his first priority and love was the Army and leading and taking care of his Soldiers.

His numerous awards and decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star for Valor, three Bronze Stars for Meritorious Service, ten Air Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, one Purple Heart, two South Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry with Palm, ten Good Conduct Medals, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Air Crewman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the South Vietnamese Combat Tanker Badge and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Upon his retirement from the Army in 1981, he lived in El Paso, TX, Colton, CA and Beaumont, CA. He was a private security supervisor for many years in Southern California.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Wiley and Rosa Walker Patton, his brothers, John, Donald, Mack, Terry, and Eddie, and sisters Francis and Dorothy. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Blanca, of Beaumont, CA; brother Robert L. Patton, Big Stone Gap, VA; Sister, Peggy, Houston, TX; son, Curtis Patton, WA; daughters Kathy, Karen, and Kelly, WA; son Jeffery Patton, San Diego, CA: step-son Army Specialist James Ruggles, Hohenfels, Germany; and nieces Karen Rose, Rancho Cucamonga, CA and Sergeant First Class Donna Horton, U.S. Army (Ret) Converse, TX and their families; and many grandchildren.

Following Services at Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, CA, on June 24, 2014, Command Sergeant Major Curtis Conley Patton, a great man and Soldier, will be interred alongside fellow Servicemen and women at the Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations to the Wounded Warrior Project (WoundedWarriorProject.org) or any worthwhile organization which supports our serving military or veterans.

Arrangements under the direction of Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, CA.