Carlton Patton, Sr.

Carlton Alton Patton, Sr.
August 5, 1938 ─ June 12, 2024
Family
Sons- James Ray Patton, Donald Lynn Patton, Carlton Alton Patton, Jr.
Daughter- Donna Lee Patton-Ravin
8 Grandchildren and 19 Great-Grandchildren

Carlton was born in Gardner, North Carolina, on August 5, 1938. He moved to Johnsonville, North Carolina, in June of 1974. He married the love of his life, Flora Catherine Patton on August 6, 1955; just one day after his 17th birthday. They were married almost 68 years; Flora predeceased him on July 3, 2022. Carlton enlisted in the US Air Force on August 9, 1955, and was honorably discharged with the Rank of Chief Master Sergeant (CMSGT) on August 31, 1985. He spent his career working as an Aircraft Maintenance Manager/Fabrication Superintendent. His deployments included sites in Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Vietnam, Germany, Texas, Philippines, Okinawa, Thailand, Oklahoma, and North Carolina.

After serving 30 years in active duty, Carlton worked another 20 years with Lockheed Martin Logistics Management supervising aircraft repair predominantly in Minot, North Dakota, and Shreveport,
Louisiana. He was involved in aircraft scavenger assignments that took him to Egypt and had the privilege of working at Cape Canaveral on the space shuttle. As a member of Hillmon Grove Baptist Church, he enjoyed reading his Bible and attending Sunday School and Worship Services. It was his routine to go to bed each night with his headphones and MP3 player listening to his extensive collection of gospel music. He was a member of the Sudan Shriners, Ft. Bragg Masonic Lodge, becoming a noble in 1973 while in the Philippines.

Carlton’s interests included raising and flying homing pigeons. In 1992 he served a term as the President of the Fayetteville Chapter Homing Birds Association. Other interests included fishing, gardening, and woodworking. It was a blessing that his Shopsmith escapades left all his digits intact! He was a quiet, peaceable, generous, faithful, and good man. A teacher by example.