Patricia Ann Esham

Patti was born to James Dicks and Elsie Hunter Dicks on July 25, 1951, in San Antonio, Texas. She graduated from Frankfort American High School in Frankfort, Germany, in 1968. She attended Ricks College and Dixie College, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Utah in 1973. She was married to Bob Knell in St. George, Utah and they adopted a son, Robert Knell. Patti was a single mother for many years, raising her son, Rob, a single child.

She met her husband, Barry Esham, as they worked together in Salt Lake City, in 1994. They were married in Salt Lake City in 1999. She is survived by her husband, Barry, of 26 years. In addition to her son, she also leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter-in-law Ramona, grandchildren Raquel and Robbie and grandson Marcell. Also, surviving are sisters Vicki Fitzgerald of Salt Lake City and Denise Gutierrez of San Antonio.

She leaves behind several nieces and nephews, plus a wealth of friends. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, brother Michael, and sister Cheri, Patti worked 30 years and retired from the Salt Lake Valley Health Department, serving as a licensed Environmental Health Specialist, working with the Salt Lake Police Department as a member of community action teams, the Drug Enforcement Agency who considered her a valuable member of their team, being awarded a special award for her contributions and dedication to the Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory Enforcement Team She trained in the Utah Police Academy, was awarded her certificate as a Class I special functions officer, and worked as a Salt Lake County Constable.

Patti was recognized with the Utah Women of Achievement Award, and The President's Award from the Utah Peace Officers Association, as well as numerous awards for work with the community. Patti contributed to several organizations, such as Wounded Warriors, the Disabled Veterans of America, and Shriner's Hospital for Children.

A celebration of Patti's life ceremony is scheduled for January 20, 2026, and 11:00 AM at Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi. Interment will follow at 1:00 PM at the Coastal Bend Veterans Military Cemetery at 9974 IH 37, Corpus Christi.

The family wishes to express our undying appreciation to the dedicated nurses of the Nurses on Wheels Hospice. They were all most caring and dedicated to Patti's comfort and treatment. Enough cannot be said for the special people who made daily visits with love and special friends with Patti. They also provided support to the family and helped ease the pain of our loss. We want to especially thank two very special people, Jennifer Billman and her daughter, Katlyn, who brought love and support to our home.