February 20, 1928 – January 10, 2006
On February 20, 1928, God blessed George and Carrie (Gridiron) Patton with their first child, Milton. Born in St. Louis, he was the first of three children. His younger sister, Joy, resides in New Jersey. His middle sister, Geraldine, and parents George and Carrie preceded him in death. Milton made a peaceful transition on January 10, 2006, at Barnes Jewish Hospital. He was 77.
Milton was an independent spirit who was kind and generous. He met no strangers, helped many and was respected by most for his wisdom and wit. He attended Cole Elementary School and Charles Sumner High School. During his high school years, he ran track and played football. He was a member of the U.S. Navy, serving in World War II (1945-1947). He was honorably discharged.
Upon returning to St. Louis, Milton worked for the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier, McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) as a production worker, Yellow Cab Company as a cab driver, Olin Corporation as an industrial engineer and the Saint Louis Community College at Forest Park as a tutor and supervisor in the Learning Achievement Center. He earned a Bachelor’s of Arts from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1969 where he was the first night-school graduate.
He retired a second time in 2001. In his retirement, he enjoyed photography, traveling, serving his church and community, and participating with the Omega Elite.
He was actively engaged in many civic endeavors. He so loved his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, Incorporated, where he was Membership Intake Chair and served in many leadership roles on the local, regional and national level. He became a member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in 1958. He was a tireless servant in the church, serving on the vestry, heading the church school, the Biscuit Burners Cooking Crew, Men’s Club, Building and Grounds Committee and as church photographer.
He was a lifelong volunteer for the Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center. He served on the board of directors and supervised the ordering of the cars and floats for the annual May Day Parade. He was a member and served for 17 years as the President of the Sumner Alumni Classes of 1946 – 1951. He was a board member of Tower Village, Inc.
He lived a wonderful life and touched many by counseling and mentoring young adults. His physical presence will be missed but his spirit will live for generations to come. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years (wed December 10, 1955), Betty, and darling daughter, Valerie; sister Joy (Richard) Drakeford; niece Stacia Tackie; niece Judith (Ronald) Robinson; nephews Carlton and Gerald Mable; children Milton, Jennifer and Richard Patton; surrogate family, Virginia Wallace, Sheila and Kathy Tharp, Teri Denise Bascom, Deborah Baker-Dukes, Lisa Diane Hollingsworth, Sallie Simmons, Gloria and Charles Shelton, Leo Vincent, Jewell Chambers, and many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
