Aaron Patton

A.C.Patton, long time resident of Lone Star, Texas, and science teacher at the Daingerfield-Lone Star ISD died Sunday at the age of 93. Funeral services will be at Rader Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, with visitation starting at 1:00 p.m. Rev. Rick Monds of Lone Star Baptist will direct the service. Aaron Cornelius Patton was born September 13, 1916 in Sherman, Texas. He was the oldest of seven children born to Samuel Denson Patton and Minnie Ethel Vermillion. Double-promoted in the third grade, he was the first of five of these siblings to graduate as valedictorian of the Alba, Texas, High School. At the age of 16 he entered Baylor University, working his way through with a variety of odd jobs, including washing windows on some of the Waco high-rise buildings. His college roommate recalled Aaron zipping around campus and Waco on his bicycle as he went to and from classes and work. Aaron married Ola Mae Green December 19, 1936. He graduated from Baylor in 1938 and combined teaching and coaching 6-man football before taking a job as a chemist in defense-related fields. In 1954 he returned to teaching. For more than twenty years he taught high school chemistry, physics and biology at Daingerfield High School. During this time, he earned his Masters degree from East Texas State College in Commerce (now East Texas A&M). After his retirement from teaching, Aaron began repairing washing machines for everyone within miles of Lone Star. He worked mostly for the sake of helping others, rarely charging more than the cost of parts. Aaron's devotion to church and love of music were key elements of his life. Blessed with a strong, beautiful voice, he served as Music Director at most of the churches he attended over the years. He also served as deacon, taught Sunday School and, occasionally, filled in as preacher. According to his children they can "…still hear Daddy sing whenever I listen to gospel music." Aaron is survived by five children: Bruce Robey (m.Louis), Frances Casey (m.Reuel), Martha Rucker (m.George), Michael Patton (m.Brenda) and Jeannie Bryant; fifteen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; one brother, Howard Patton of Ft. Worth; three sisters, Harveen Plaxco of Kilgore, Vera Dale Connally of Elm Mott, and Doris Seago of Tacoma, Washington. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ola Mae, and one grandson, Chris Patton. His family has many memories of laughter and joking, dominoes, card games and fishing trips. He will be remembered with love.