Patrick E. Colton

“Anything is possible.” That is what Patrick E. Colton believed about life. He was a creative man, with a true gift for thinking outside of the box, especially in areas of providing service to others, or trying to help improve the world around us. He had faith in his ability to find those solutions. Pat thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Pat was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

His parents were Chad and Agnes Colton. Pat was born in San Antonio, Texas, the youngest of four children. He had two sisters, Joy and Frances and one brother, Phil.

Endowed with an appetite for knowing how his world worked, Pat enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. Pat was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. Never one to sit still for too long, Pat was known as quite the athlete in high school, excelling at both baseball and football.

Pat's “never say die” attitude and his ability to face any challenge no matter how difficult it might be were tremendous assets that Pat carried with him into the military on July 5th, 1967 after graduating high school in Loveland,Colorado. Pat was an Army Vietnam Veteran, having served as an infantryman-airborne. He achieved the rank of SP4.

Because he was a quick thinker and adept at picking up on new things, Pat truly enjoyed college; especially since it was so different from his Viet Nam experience. He was always on a quest for knowledge and he relished the experience. Theories intrigued him, and he was good at solving complex problems. He always wanted to understand rather than judge. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.

Pat was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around him. He was sought after by people who recognized that he was generous with his time and energy, and these same friends found Pat to be very stimulating company. Pat's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around him. Later in the early 70's, he became close friends with best friend Don MacWilliam, Dave Klinger, Mike Herscher, and Pam and Ross Skinner.

On July 9, 1999 on the 16th anniversary of their first date on July 9, 1983, and the 11th anniversary of their engagement on July 9, 1988 Pat exchanged wedding vows with Kay Priest at a picturesque outdoor setting in Southwestern New York . Pat truly loved his new family, and was especially welcomed and loved by Kay's mom along with the rest of her large family. Ever flexible, he quickly adapted to responding to "Patrick" or "my Pat" when at family gatherings to reduce confusion with his sister in law, Pat. Pat was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Pat was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Pat was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to his spouse’s needs. He was a vibrant personality and he enjoyed lively conversations with Kay. In fact, those who knew him often remarked that Pat loved to discuss the mysteries of life and the universe, as we know it. He was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Kay's.

As a born public servant, Pat was definitely in his element in his work place. He could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Pat began working as a volunteer in 1971 with the University Year for Action Program. He was assigned to the Secretary of State's Office in Olympia, Washington. He became a liaison between state government and numerous groups active in civil rights and social issues including working with inmates in all the state prisons, farm workers, Native Americans, and organizations like the Washington Association for Retarded Citizens, and the Federation for the Blind. During this time he also created coalitions among groups to increase political effectiveness, and organized fund raising activities. When requested Pat provided information to state officials regarding different groups, and he lived with the Native Americans and assisted in their efforts to have the state recognize Treaty rights.

After his volunteer experience Pat accepted a position as the Executive Assistant to the Washington State Secretary of State in 1972. His primary responsibilities were to present concerns and desires of disadvantaged individuals and socially concerned groups to the appropriate state officials. This included lobbying for and against certain legislation, testifying at committee hearings, assisting in developing legislations, and being in charge of the legislative package for the Secretary of State's Office.

During his time as an Executive Assistant, Pat was involved in working with activist groups in potentially volatile situations. This led to a request by Randolph Hearst to assist in his efforts to obtain the release of Patty Hearst from her kidnappers. Pat also became one of three Co-Directors of the food distribution program created to meet the demands of kidnappers. He supervised and recruited hundreds of volunteers and was responsible for expenditure of over two million dollars. He coordinated efforts with the F.B.I., state and local police agencies, Governor's Offices (Washington and California), and several groups named by the kidnappers to oversee the food distribution program.

In 1975 Pat left the Secretary of State's office to form a consulting firm. His responsibilities included arranging for high-risk capital financing, personnel recruitment and project development. The company was retained to lobby legislature on bills affecting the import/export trade. Pat was also the Vice-President of the firm's charitable foundation, which funded various projects in the community.

For a few months in 1978 Pat worked as a youth camp counselor at the Cedar Creek Youth Camp in Rochester, Washington. He prepared reports for the courts, probation officers, and other state agencies.

Pat then went to work as a Case Worker II for Child Protective Services, once again working on behalf of those who needed a voice and assistance. He wrote petitions for the court for dependency hearings and did individual, group, and family counseling. His job frequently required crisis intervention skills. He kept documentation of family problems, which were used as the basis of foster and group home placements, as well as criminal charges stemming from physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of children. During this time, he was also provided Death and Dying counseling to terminally ill children- another life experience that helped frame his belief that life extends far beyond our physical world. He felt strongly that everyone had something to share with others, no matter how time limited their life was. He developed curriculum and taught others how to effectively assist other terminally ill children.

In 1983 Pat was promoted to Classification Counselor at the Washington Correction Center in Shelton, Washington. Here he prepared classification referrals for the purpose of inter and intra institutional transfers, custody promotions and demotions, camp and work release referrals, pre-parole referrals and reports to the Indeterminate Sentencing Review Board. He also communicated with outside agencies, and with inmates and their families. Pat occasionally continued to provide Death and Dying counseling to terminally ill offenders. He worked in this position until his retirement from state service on October 31, 2003.

Pat's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for him. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Pat was always searching for new and unusual activities, he developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things he became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew him, but most friends and family understood that Pat simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. His favorite pursuits were photography, kayaking, reading, Mariners, golfing, rock climbing, bicycling, traveling to warm, sunny places and national parks; and aimless drives through states previously unexplored by him.

Pat's calm demeanor and eternally positive outlook served him well in sports, especially basketball and golf. During the last decade of his job, he could frequently be seen at the daily lunchtime pick up basketball game, where he earned the name "Dr. Hook" as he had the uncanny ability to throw up scoring last minute hook shots from all angles of the court. Pat was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite teams whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were Mariners- (maybe NEXT year!), Seahawks and college football.

Pat's talents were well suited for being actively involved in professional and community organizations, something he did throughout his life. He enjoyed being involved and was willing to jump in and help out in most any situation. Pat could bring a breath of fresh air to any organization, simply by introducing his novel ideas and strategies. Throughout the 1980's and 1990's, before digital cameras and photoshopping existed, Pat devoted many hours to capturing adoption and calendar photos of the wolves at Wolf Haven International. He also photographed many family reunions and events in NY.

Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Pat. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Pat to expand his ever-growing inventory of knowledge and his close relationships with his family by marriage. In fact, his favorite vacations included the annual siblings and spouses reunions at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with Kay, her siblings and their spouses. Also high on the "must go to as often as possible" list were Hawaii and Glacier National Park in Montana.

Even while in retirement, Pat never stopped exercising his inventive talents, and this new phase of his life provided new opportunities for stimulating his interests. In October 31, 2003, his new life involved staying in Olympia to wait for his wife to retire, before relocating to New York to be closer to family. In retirement, he found more time to pursue his favorite activities. Even in retirement, Pat continued to stay in touch with his old friends, especially when a round or two of golf was part of the day's adventures.

Pat passed away on December 18, 2012 at home in Olympia, Washington. Pat died suddenly and unexpectedly from natural causes. He is survived by his wife Kay, sister Joy Kromer (Kansas), brother Phil Colton (Colorado), and an extensive family of in-laws (Roberta, Joe, Darlene, John, Patricia, Marty, Sue, Gary, Jerry, Wendy, Rita and Tim) in New York. Services were held at Mills & Mills Funeral Home on Sunday December 23rd- the chapel was full of many people who knew him from the various, diverse paths he walked in this life. Pat's cremains will be placed at a later date, one half at the site of his wedding proposal to Kay, and the second half will be interred with his wife in the future.

During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Pat. He met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Pat was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around him could not. For Pat, the traditional way of doing things fell short of his expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Patrick E. Colton, the fun of living his life could be found in the challenge.

Oh- the places he went, the many things he accomplished, and the lives he touched! Pat was truly loved by many and will be forever remembered and sorely missed.

From the December 23rd Service :

"Pat is one of my hero's because he, along with Peggy Maze, established the first ever food bank in this country." -Ralph Munro Former Secretary of Washington State 1981-2001.

Eulogy by best friend Don MacWilliam:

On Christmas Eve, 1969, Pat was pinned down by enemy fire after his squad was ambushed in Vietnam. Pat rebroke his leg, jumping into a ditch and survived by playing dead for hours. For Pat, every day after being Medevaced, was considered a huge bonus.

Pat Colton was a unique person. We all are, of course, but Pat was different than the rest of us.

I learned that early in our relationship. I couldn’t believe the stuff he was telling me.

But then learned that he was always honest, thoughtful, compassionate and had a burning passion for people being treated fairly. He believed in the absolute equality of all.

He knew that mostly it is luck and circumstances that set the stage for individuals’ lives. But he also knew that it was thought and will that build the character each person becomes on life’s stage.

Pat’s mother died when he was about 10. He didn’t talk to me about her much, but when he did it was of an intelligent and loving woman whom he adored. After his mother’s death he would “escape” what became a rather chaotic life by retreating to what he called a “fantasy world” where he would dream about how things would all work out.

I believe this was probably the generation of his later description of himself as “an idea guy.”

But Pat also loved to “experience” things. He looked at everything as an “experience” – even the painful things. He met things head on without flinching. But he also learned that small details in lives could change the course of that life.

-Angry with high school baseball coach, he declined an invitation to try out for professional baseball.

-Joined the Army instead , enlisting on July 5th, 1967.

-Only guy I know to be escorted to the city line . . . of New Orleans- and told to never return!

He “experienced” the Army by becoming an airborne Ranger.

-Even after broken leg in night drop in wrong landing zone he went to Viet Nam

-43 years ago tomorrow, Christmas Eve, ambushed and rebroke leg trying to get to cover

-Lay in line of fire for several hours playing dead

PTSD

-Joy’s experience of Pat’s nightmares: while recuperating from his Viet Nam experience, Pat lived with his sister Joy in Olympia, who at the time was also was caring for her young children, while her husband was in Viet Nam.

-My King Dome experience: when Pat and I were on our way to a Mariner's game one day, a car backfired and I saw Pat immediately hit the ground in response. Pat simply got up and said "man! I hate when that happens" and continued on to the game.

Joined VISTA

-Worked with Native Americans

-Hired on with Lud Kramer as Executive Assistant

-Patty Hearst food give away

-Speech writer for Lud’s reelection

Worked at Cedar Creek, the CPS in Elma, then WCC.

His thoughtful preparation led to absolute focus and unflinching courage in confrontation. He always had thoughtfully prepared his argument and would NOT be taken off course. He simply refocused the argument on what he wanted.

Pat never defined his limits. Instead he pushed his limits (often pushing the limits of others). He would focus on one thing and work diligently on it.

-Dr. Hook Didn’t care when or what the situation was in the game

-Photography

Pat believed we are only limited by what we think is impossible.

For Pat, it was never saying, “We can’t because . . .”

Instead it was always, “We could do it if . . .”

Pat always said that every day after Christmas Eve 1969 was “icing on the cake”

He did not fear dying, nor would he want any of us to feel badly about his passing. He had 43 years more than he thought he would have.

He always said, “Don’t sweat the small stuff . . . and it’s ALL small stuff!”

Pat came as close to living up to that code as anyone I have ever seen.

He lived with passion and verve and instilled a little bit of that in each of us who knew him.

We are all better for having known Pat