Dale Kenneth Patton, Jr. was born on September 15, 1947, in Snowflake, Arizona. He was born to Dale Kenneth Patton, Sr. and Guinevere Patton (Rhoton). His family moved to Phoenix after he turned two.
Dale lived in Phoenix until he served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Brazilian Mission beginning in 1966. The mission was divided and he finished serving in the Brazil North Mission in 1968. Not long after his return, Dale married his eternal sweetheart, Carol Ann Patton (Passey), in the Mesa, Arizona Temple.
Dale graduated from BYU with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1971. After his marriage, Dale served in the United States Air Force in the education office helping other members of the Air Force enter and complete their own college educations. Dale was honorably discharged after four years of service and immediately entered law school at the University of Arizona.
Dale graduated from law school in 1978. He clerked for Justice Jack D. H. Hays, of the Arizona Supreme Court. Dale and Carol Ann later moved their family to Winslow, Arizona where Dale worked in the County Attorneys’ Office. He was later appointed County Attorney in 1984. After winning the subsequent election, Dale resigned as County Attorney to take over the law practice from Warner Leppin. Dale practiced in various areas of law, but mostly in family law, for more than 35 years.
Dale was the City Attorney for the City of Winslow, as well as the attorney for the Winslow Unified School District for much of his time in Winslow. Dale cared for the city and its residents and always did his best to serve faithfully.
Dale served in various callings in the Church including as Bishop and Stake President, but his favorite was always related to the youth. He served for several decades in the Young Men’s program for the Church and as a leader with the Boy Scouts of America, being awarded the Silver Beaver, among other scouting recognitions. He helped hundreds of young men in the scouting organization and specifically helped hundreds of young men attain the rank of Eagle Scout. Dale took dozens of trips with the scouts to various locations including Lake Powell, the Colorado River, Mexico, Glenwood Springs in Colorado, and all over Arizona.
Above all his many accomplishments, he was most proud of his family. Dale always prioritized his family. Dale and Carol Ann have five children, Ken Patton (Cyndie), Regina Hedgecock (Ray), Mark Patton (Ginni), Chris Patton (Emily), and Nick Patton (Kaylynn). Dale and Carol Ann have 16 grandkids, and 1 great-grandchild (so far).
A viewing will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Bunker Family Funeral & Cremation’s funeral home at 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201. His funeral will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 10:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints building located at 9431 E. Point Twenty-Two Blvd, Mesa, AZ 85212. A short public viewing will be held from 9:00 am to 9:45 am before the funeral service.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Dale was such a humble man and true servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was my ministering brother for a while and took his young companion, Troy Stock, under his wing. Together they pruned a Hong Kong Orchid of mine and it has grown beautifully ever since. I did not request this. They saw the need and offered their services. They also noticed I did not have a piano bench. They crafted a beautiful sturdy one for me as a surprise and I use it to this day. Dale was a wonderful craftsman with wood and loved to share his skill with the youth. Dale also took many of my male names to the temple to do ordinance work. Our ward got divided, but he continued to do this for me even though he was no longer in my ward.