Samuel Dellette 'Sam' Patton Jr.

Samuel Dellette "Sam" Patton Jr., 68, of Great Falls, a retired supply technician for the Montana National Guard, died on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012, at a local hospital of complications due to an illness.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 10 a. m. on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, at Highland Park Cemetery in Havre. A celebration of life will immediately follow at Hill County Electric Cooperative hospitality room. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Sam was born on Nov. 20, 1943, to Samuel and Marjorie "Midge" (Kelley) Patton in Sanborn, Iowa. They moved to Montana in 1950. He attended schools in Box Elder and Havre, and then graduated from Kremlin in 1962. On July 27, 1963, he married Evelyn Mary Lathrop in Havre. Sam joined the Army National Guard in 1963 and retired from the Guard in 1999. He owned several businesses throughout his life. He spent his remaining years traveling with Evelyn throughout the western United States and Mexico in the RV and camping in Beaver Creek Park.

Some of Sam's interests were travel, restoring cars, woodworking, solar energy, camping, fishing and spending time with family and friends.

He will be greatly missed.

Samuel is survived by his wife of 49 years, Evelyn Patton of Great Falls; his son, Sam (Susan) Patton of Woodinville, Wash. ; his daughters, Leanne (Blane) Mortensen of Livingston and Jamie (Merritt) Robbins of Havre; his sister, Melva (Bob) Gustafson of Chisago City, Minn. ; grandchildren, Jessi (Russell) Gregoire, Colton Robbins, Ashlan Mortensen, and Oliver Patton; great-grandchildren, Jordan, Courtney, and Brooklyn Gregoire; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Marjorie Patton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Sam's honor may be made to Beaver Creek Park, 17863 Beaver Creek Road, Havre, MT 59501.

Condolences may be left for the family at http://www.schniderfuneralhome.com.