Norman PATTON

PATTON, Norman Passed away on September 14, 2016. was a husband, father, grandfather, coach, rancher and friend to many. Born in Hatch, New Mexico on July 1, 1939 Norman grew up on a cattle ranch in Pleasanton, New Mexico, where he worked hard, learned lifelong ranching skills and developed a love for the outdoors. Norman graduated from New Mexico's Cliff High School in 1957, one of 12 graduating seniors. He excelled in athletics lettering in three sports: basketball, baseball and track. In 1959, he and Sandra Ray (of Silver City, New Mexico) married and began their life together. After graduating from New Mexico State University, Norman's love of sports inspired a lifetime of coaching and teaching beginning in Bayfield, CO. He coached basketball at Marana High School for eight years. His teams qualified for the State Tournament every year, won six Conference Championships, two State Runners-Up, and three State Championships in 1969 (24-0), 1970 (24-5) and 1972 (25-0). He was named the Arizona High School Coach of the Year by the Arizona Republic in 1969 and 1972. In 1973, he started the basketball program at Pima Community College. In 1980, his Pima team won the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC), and Norman was named Arizona Junior College Coach of the Year. He then coached basketball at Central Arizona College for over a dozen years leading the Vaqueros to the ACCAC Championship in 1984 and 1992. The Vaqueros were NJCAA Region I Champions in 1982, 1984 and 1992, finishing 6th at the National NJCAA Tournament in 1992. Norman was inducted into the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. Norman pursued his love of ranching throughout his coaching career. He treasured the friendships forged over decades of coaching and ranching in Southern Arizona. Norman is survived by Sandra Patton, his wife of 57 years; daughter, Lori Patton and son-in-law, Kevin McNamara; daughter, Kelly Fowler and son-in-law, Lance Fowler and grandchildren, Kenzie Fowler and Mattie Fowler; daughter, Vickie Patton and son-in-law, James Freeman and grandchildren, Sandra Freeman and Grant Freeman, and daughter, Patty Patton Shearer and son-in-law, Gavin Shearer and granddaughter, Baylie Shearer. He is also survived by his brother, Barney Patton. He was preceded in death by his brother, Wayne Patton and his parents, Lovena Harris Patton and Barney Jerome Patton. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, September 19, 2016, 5:30 p.m. at Stardance Event Center, 8110 North Scenic Drive in Tucson. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome charitable contributions in Norman's memory to: Marana High School c/o Sarah Whaley, Athletic Director In Memory of Norman Patton - Tiger Power Fund 12000 W. Emigh Rd., Marana, AZ 85743 The Gregory School Annual Fund - Farm Yard Fund In Memory of Norman Patton, 3231 N. Craycroft Rd., Tucson, AZ 85712