Samuel Brenton Patch

Upon delivery of Laura, the doctor, knowing we already had two girls, looked at Brent and said, “It’s a girl,” which Brent replied, “She did say she was only having girls.”

One day, I was driving down Palm coming home from playing tennis. Before I crossed the train tracks, God spoke to me. He said, “So, do you want to have all girls, or do you want to have a boy?” I told God in a lot of words how I/we can’t make that choice.

A couple of days later, Brent and I were at my parents' house. We were standing in front of the oven door, and I told Brent, God’s asking me if we want to have a boy, which he immediately responded, “I want a boy!” I said, “Well how come you’ve never said anything?” To which he replied, “I didn’t think you got to choose.” Sometime later, I looked up and said, “Ok God, we’ll take a boy.”

Moving time forward to another day, I was driving on Palm to go play tennis. Suddenly, for only a second, I had this sensation in my womb. It felt like a burst of light. It’s the only time I have ever felt that. And then I realized, I had just crossed the train tracks. I was at the same place on Palm where I had heard God. I knew. I called Brent and told him, “We’ve just conceived our boy.” We were both filled with such joy.

We named him Samuel Brenton Patch. Samuel, because “I heard God.” His middle name is Brenton because Brent means “a steep hill,” and Brenton means “from a steep hill.” And he was a Patch.

Sam Sam. My Son. My Miracle.

Always in My Heart.

Brent. My Love.

Our Sam is with you now.

God. For this precious gift in my Samuel, for sharing him with us, for this miracle, I thank You.

In Loving Memory of Samuel Patch

Samuel "Sam" Brenton Patch was a loving husband, father, son, brother, grandson, and friend whose humor and generous heart left an enduring mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Sam was homeschooled from kindergarten through high school before attending Fresno City College, where he pursued his passion for cooking in the Culinary Program. It was there, in August 2015, that he met the love of his life, Melanie Campos. Their journey together was one of friendship, growth, and unwavering connection. Though life occasionally led them down different paths, they always found their way back to one another. They were married on March 14, 2025, a testament to the belief that those meant to be together ultimately choose each other.

Cooking was more than a profession for Sam, it was one of the ways he expressed love. Throughout his adult life, he worked in many jobs, but his greatest joy came from working as a cook, sharing his remarkable talent and passion with others.

Sam had a gift for making people laugh. His quick wit and infectious humor could make anyone laugh until they cried. He was always among the first to step forward whenever someone needed help. Acts of service came naturally to him, whether through a lending hand or a meal lovingly prepared. He found genuine happiness in caring for the people around him. His greatest accomplishment though, was helping bring his two beautiful children into the world. He cherished every moment with his daughter, Madelyn Joy Patch, and his son, Brenton Raymundo Campos-Patch. Whether he was on the floor playing with them, tossing them into the air, or acting completely silly just to hear them laugh, Sam embraced fatherhood with joy and wholehearted love.

His interests reflected his joyful spirit. Sam loved cooking, fishing, camping, and sailing. Sam’s love of music was sparked by his father. He grew up listening to 90’s country and classic rock. He was obsessed with The Beatles for years and enjoyed listening to his vinyl albums. He also liked techno, rap, and pop music. If it was good music then he was into it. He loved movies, old and new. He watched them not just for the plot, but the music and directing choices. There would be times that he had seen every movie playing in the theater. He treasured annual family trips to Disneyland and never outgrew his love for the Happiest Place on Earth. He was always nostalgic for the “boys” trips he took as a child with his dad and brother. He loved spending his Fourth of July at Huntington Lake with his family. Sam also had a tremendous love for animals. Any pet that entered his life quickly found a permanent place in his heart. It wasn't unusual to find Sam sleeping on the floor while his dog occupied the pillow, simply because he couldn’t fathom making them uncomfortable.

His sister Laura shared treasured memories that perfectly captured who Sam was. “There was something special about the way Sam loved and this is the only way I can think to explain it. Sam and I spent much of our childhood joined at the hip and we were somehow always perfectly balanced. If our parents made eggs and potatoes for breakfast, Sam ate my eggs and I ate his potatoes. We’d pool our Oreos together, and he’d eat all the filling while I ate the plain cookies. In our college days, we’d abandon our campus friends to go get a snack or cold drink. Often it was one Sprite and one OJ that’d we mix together, each having a combo of the two. This is the epitome of who Sam was. He was excellent at taking care of others. See, Sam he liked potatoes, but I didn’t like eggs. I also didn’t prefer an Oreo filling. I love orange flavored things but think a soda has too many bubbles. Sam was the kind of brother that noticed my preferences and pretended that his aligned because my happiness mattered to him. Sam gave, in small ways, every day of his life. More often than not in the form of feeding you. But he could see what people needed, and if it was in his power, he’d give it. I feel lucky to have been seen and loved by my brother. He had a very large heart.”

If Sam could have chosen his perfect day, it would have begun at a campground beside his father, Brent Allen Patch, with a beer in hand, food cooking over an open fire, and classic rock playing while they talked about everything and nothing. Sam always said he got a different version of his dad when they were alone. He treasured those moments and those days topped his list. Later on, Melanie would arrive with his children, and together they would spend the afternoon sailing. His dad would help him create the same beautiful memories Sam cherished from his own childhood.

Sam lived one day at a time. He never needed elaborate plans; he simply enjoyed wherever life led, especially if it meant spending time with family and friends. He wanted to be remembered as someone who was a "good time" in every sense of the phrase.

His siblings will remember that Sam was always the one causing the laughs, and that he could do it intentionally. It would only take one word or line, and the Patch kids as a whole, could bust out into song or recite movie quotes. Being raised so closely together guaranteed they all knew the same things. Sam found great joy in the inside jokes and loved creating those moments where they could all laugh and look at each other knowingly.

Samuel was preceded in death by his father, Brent Allen Patch.

He is lovingly survived by his wife, Melanie Campos; his children, Madelyn Joy Patch and Brenton Raymundo Campos-Patch; his mother, Sedna Patch; his siblings, Hannah Patch, Esther Patch, Laura Patch, and Conner Patch; his grandparents, Robert Patch and Janis Patch; along with many extended family members and dear friends who will forever cherish his memory.

Though his time with us was far too short, Sam’s legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the meals he shared, the jokes he told, and the family and friends who will carry his memory forward.

Funeral and memorial service details will be announced at a later date.