In Memory

James C Patton

James Carl Patton of Crawfordsville passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday morning at IU Arnett in Lafayette. He was 75.

Mr. Patton was the “Walking Band Director” at Southmont, a title he was given after walking home from the state competition in 1985. He served as band director at Thorntown, was assistant director at Ball State for one year, then as director at Seymour, and in Anderson at Madison Heights, before coming to Southmont and retiring from there. He was a member of First Christian Church, Phi Beta Mu honorary band fraternity, Indiana Bandmaster Association, Indiana Music Educator Association, Retired Teacher’s (ISTA) and the American Legion, Post 72. He was also a loyal, avid and enthusiastic IU fan.

Born August 3, 1937 in Crawfordsville, he was the son of Elbert Patton and Lois Paddack Patton. He graduated from Crawfordsville High School in 1956, Indiana University in 1960 and a Master’s Degree from Ball State in 1963. On June 12, 1960 he married Marilyn J. Deckard in Crawfordsville.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Patton of Crawfordsville, son, John Stanley (Marymar) Patton of Hillsboro, daughter, Jeanette Susan (Tim) Keller of Bloomington, sister, Mary Edie (Alan) Cox of Crawfordsville and three grandchildren, Aiden Keller, Addison Keller, and Benjamin Casica.

He was preceded in death by a son, James Steven Patton, and three sisters, Joycelyn Brown, Jeanette Harper and Sarah Elizabeth Wininger and his parents.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3 PM Saturday, January 12, at First Christian Church, 211 S. Walnut Street, Crawfordsville, with Pastor Alan Goff and Pastor Keith Strain officiating. Visiting hours will be from 1 PM until 3 PM at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the James C. Patton Instrumental Music Scholarship Fund, c/o Montgomery Co. Community Foundation, P.O Box 334, Crawfordsville, IN 47933. Online condolences may be made at www.BurkhartFH.com.