Howard Cull Patton, Jr

Howard Cull Patton, Jr., 88, of Fairborn, Ohio passed away peacefully in his sleep December 28, 2017.

Howard was born in Greenville, Ohio on September 5, 1929, the son of Howard C. and Koneta L. (Sanders) Patton.

Howard spent his childhood as part of a large family of brothers and sisters in Greenville, and was affectionately named "June" by his close family. Howard was an excellent athlete in track and field and earned sharpshooter awards in junior rifle competition. Howard was baptized in the Brethren Church in 1941.

Upon graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and served in Germany as part of the Berlin Air Lift after World War II. He was a communications specialist in the Air Force, working teletype and cryptography, gaining a top secret clearance. He was further deployed at Burtonwood Air Base in England, where he met his bride. He married Rose Wilkinson October 21, 1950 and lived in England and the United States during the remainder of his deployment, earning a Korean Conflict veteran status. Immediately upon leaving the Air Force as active duty, Howard became a U.S. Civil Service employee, working in England and ultimately moving permanently to Wright Patterson Air Force base in Fairborn, Ohio. He worked his entire career of 37 years in service to his country, retiring in 1984.

Howard and Rose lived in the same house in Fairborn Ohio for over 55 years, and devoted their lives to their families. They had a small circle of close friends, and Howard frequently visited his extended family in Greenville Ohio. They also made several trips to England to visit Rose's relatives and treasured those visits.

Fond memories of Howard include fishing with his kids, playing with his grandkids, and listening to the Cincinnati Reds on radio while he sat on his back patio. He had a special buckeye tree that he planted in the back yard, and took many great photos of the grandkids with that tree. Howard was always there to help his family, including helping them move out of state and back home years later. He always drove a station wagon, and it was meticulously clean at all times, and ready to serve family and friends. Howard will be fondly remembered as a family man and especially as a devoted husband to his wife Rose.

Howard was preceded in death by his father, Howard C. Patton, his mother, Koneta L. Patton, his wife Rose Patton, his only daughter Valerie J. (Patton) Mullins, his sister Betty (Patton) Garrett, and a brother-in-law Paul Herring.

He is survived by his son, Anthony Patton and daughter-in-law Debbie Patton of Huber Heights, Ohio, son-in-law Danny Mullins of Fairborn, Ohio, along with two brothers Jim Patton of Dayton, Ohio and Larry Patton of Colorado; two sisters Jane Henby of Greenville Ohio, and Carol (Kay) Herring of Suwannee, Georgia. He is also survived by grandchildren Brian Mullins of Clayton Ohio, Jennifer Mullins of Fairborn Ohio, Rebecca Mullins of Dayton, Ohio, Christopher Patton of Huber Heights Ohio, and Joshua Patton of Westchester, Ohio; along with 6 great grand children and numerous brother and sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at 10 AM, with funeral services at 11 AM on Friday, January 5, 2017 at Newcomer Funeral Chapel in Beavercreek, Ohio with interment immediately following at Byron Cemetery.