Arlen "Art" Eugene Patton

Arlen “Art” Eugene Patton
June 29, 1926-July 25, 2018
A Life Well Lived

Arlen was born on June 29th, 1926 at home in Denver, Colorado, and was known as Art to everyone around him. He was born to Carrie and Arlo “Pat” Patton and was the eldest of 4 children, his brothers Keith and Dale, and his sister Carol. Art spent his childhood growing up in the Denver area and a great deal of time with his family in North Park, Colorado. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping, and his love of the outdoors has been shared with the rest of the family. He graduated from South High School in 1944 and has kept in touch with many of his classmates over the years.

When Art was 18 years old, he enlisted in the Navy during World War II. He served as a Radioman 1st Class for 2 years in Saipan and Okinawa. After being honorably discharged in 1946, he returned to Denver and entered the engineering program at the University of Denver. He played basketball while attending DU, and continued to follow the Pioneers for many years. He also religiously followed the Rockies and Broncos, and those teams with whom he had friendly rivalries.

The summer before his senior year at DU, he started working for the D.& R.G.W. Railroad. After graduating, he continued working at the railroad for several more years as roadmaster. He was part of the construction crew that helped build the Moffat Tunnel from 1950-51. He finished working for the railroad in 1952.

Art met the love of his life Nancy in June of 1956 on a blind date. However, they did not initially realize they would end up being sweethearts. They went on 3 dates, and they really didn’t get along. Apparently, he brought her home too early! Fortunately, they reconnected several months later when he asked her to go to a ball game in which he was playing. They were engaged in February of 1957 and married in May. They were married for more than 61 years, and they still live in the same house in Littleton. They have 3 children, Ken (Emily), Neil (Bobbi), and Janice (Larry). They also have 6 grandchildren, Nichole (Benjamin), Adam (Adrianne), Stephanie, Samantha, Julie and Elizabeth, and 2 great-grandsons Mason and Maddox. They also have a menagerie of grand-pets, who they frequently pet-sit.

Art volunteered as the first engineer at the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District for Arapahoe County for 32 years, retiring in 2006. He worked in various departments for Public Service Company for 33 years, retiring as the head of the Gas and Electric New Construction at Southwest Service Center, in 1986. He ran a surveying company with his partner Jack Heinley for nearly 50 years, and he served on the Arapahoe County Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission for many years. Art spent his retirement with Nancy attending grandchildren's sporting and school events, and visiting family and friends. They traveled across the country in their motorhome, following his brother Dale and sister-in-law EJ down many roads, often spending winter months in Arizona. They have visited all 50 states and several countries.

Art/Dad/Grandpa/Papa/Trapper loved to tell stories and tease people, and the only time he was seen without a hat on was when Nana would make him take it off for dinner. He gave many of those closest to him nicknames, and we know many of his stories by heart. Some of his favorite things to do involved attending regular luncheons with South High Alumni and PSCo.

He loved watching sports, Fox News, and drinking Arnie Palmers. He enjoyed family get togethers, and he would raise his hand in the midst of the ruckus in order to “get a word in edgewise.” He left an incredible legacy, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at 10:00 AM, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 1401 E. Dry Creek Road, Littleton, CO 80122; a reception to immediately follow at the church. Interment with full military honors will follow the reception at 1:15 PM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area "C".

In lieu of gifts or flowers, memorial donations may be sent to either:
Life Care Center of Littleton
℅ Michelle Fraternali
1500 W Mineral Ave
Littleton, CO 80120
--or--
South High School Alumni & Friends, Inc.
1700 E Louisiana Ave
Denver, CO 80210

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