Michael George "Mike" Patton

Michael "Mike" George Patton, 74, was the youngest of Helen and Paul Patton's three children. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio, selling produce from the family farm and enjoyed fishing trips to Canada, where he discovered his favorite candy bar, Nielsen's Jersey Milk.
Mike was a proud member of the 1968 Walnut Ridge City League Championship Football team, sporting his favorite number 22. Despite the rivalry, he married an Eastmoor girl, a tall red-headed lifeguard at Berwick Beach: Sandy Erwin. Long unbeknownst to them, fate had them circling each other, as they were both in Johnson Park Junior High School Library when JFK was shot.
He attended Ohio University for two years and played football for a season before enlisting (yes, enlisting) in the U.S. Army. He served in military intelligence and was stationed at Phu Bai, a secret base that, as you would expect, was not a secret from the enemy and was constantly under threat. While in country, he was shot at (a lot), shimmied up a rope to a helicopter (while being shot at), earned a few medals (a bronze star and army commendation medal), and welcomed his first son at the age of 21. He saved his rations and threw a huge party because celebrations matter even in the darkest of times.
After his discharge and with another son in tow, Mike attended The Ohio State University, where he tutored a future two-time Heisman Trophy winner while balancing fatherhood and full-time employment as a bartender. He worked hard and played hard throughout the '70s and '80s, making great friends (including Janet, Phil, Jack B., David, Maloy, Jack L., Jane, Glenn, and Karen) and becoming the master of the reel-to-reel. His career took him across the country and, by age 28, he and Sandy had added another son and a daughter to their family. Riding the new wave of American mobility, each child was born in a different city.
Mike had been a member of the Army Bowling Team and was deeply involved in sports, not only coaching various teams but also serving as a member of the chain gang and as a swim team judge. In Dublin, he started the girls' basketball league and helped bring the CABA 14-year-old World Series to town. He volunteered for most any role he could. Sports brought him immense joy and fellowship, and he made many lifelong friendships (including John, Lynn, Bill, Ruthann, Sally, Rob) through its auspices.
As much as Mike loved sports, he loved people more; his professional career spanned from being awarded "Buyer of the Beer" to running his own procurement company, but the most satisfying part was mentoring people in his field and working with the best people he knew (including Tom, Michael D., Ron, Mark, Mike G., Eric, Mike R., Jeremy, and Brandon). He was one of the earliest frequent flyers, allowing him some unique experiences such as partying one night with Red Headed Stranger and his band on Long Island, but Mike always wanted to be home.
He bravely battled leukemia and won against long odds, but a new cancer proved too much. He passed away with dignity surrounded by family at The James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State on December 7, 2024. The compassionate doctors (Dr. Mims), nurses (TT, Allison, Dani, Colton, Ash) and cleaners (Haredo) were superlative, but not as much as his wife, Sandy, a devoted caregiver whose loving support helped him fight the cancers with grace and allowed him to live the best life possible.
He loved the films, books, TV shows, and music he grew up with-from Star Trek to James Bond-and shared them with his children and grandchildren. When he passed at 7:27 p.m., his eldest grandson and namesake had been talking about Star Trek at his writers' group in Indianapolis, showing that Mike lives on.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Helen, his sister, Linda, and his in-laws, John and Liz. He is survived by his wife, Sandy, his sister, Melanie, his four children, Robert (Jenny), John (Nikohl), Bill (Wendy), and Kassi (Kevin), his nine grandchildren, Michael, Alex, Abby, Jacob, Ellie, Kate, Mckinley, Marshall, and Madison, his sister-in-law, Mitzi Erwin, brother-in-law, Jim Huff and many nieces, nephews and other family members.
"It is so unfair; children should never have cancer," Mike said.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in memory of Michael G. Patton. Your generous contributions will help support the vital work of St. Jude’s in finding cures and saving children. Donations can be made online at St. Jude's donation page or by mail to:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude’s Place
Memphis, TN 38105
.