Darrell M ‘Mick’ Patton

Darrell M “Mick” Patton was born to Lawrence and Julia Mackey Patton on July 20, 1939 in Aberdeen WA., and passed away March 20, 2023.

The family lived at Oyhut at a beach cabin at the time of his birth and moved to South Aberdeen not long after. His dad started delivering The Daily World from Aberdeen to East County, so the family relocated to Elma when Mick was about 9 years old. He then started delivering the town papers on a too big bicycle that he had to push to do his paper route.

When he got his driver’s license, he would take over his dad’s motor route so his dad could go fishing in Alaska.

Mick attended school in Elma and played baseball, basketball and football and was a very competitive Eagle. After high school he Joined the Navy and spent four years in Naval Air and did to tours in Asia on the USS Ticonderoga (aircraft carrier). He made lifelong friends with Jim Pond (deceased), Joe Hutchcraft and John Troise. They met every couple of years for a reunion with wives included and we became a Navy family for life.

Mick began his college career at Grays Harbor College in 1962. He transferred to Central WA University and graduated with a teaching degree in Elementary Education in 1968. He began a career in teaching at Rochester Middle school for two years then he relocated to Elma Middle School where he continued until 2006 when he retired.

During his teaching years he continued his education until he had completed his Master’s degree. He loved teaching and all the kids he taught.

He met his future wife Mary Wessel at a friend’s house party, and they were married on Nov. 29, 1963. In the

years that followed they added Lisa Patton Cormier, Eric Lawrence Patton (Rose), Joel Christopher Patton (Tammy) and nephew Dan Wessel (Debbie) to their family. His mother-in-law Agnes Wessel and her sister Mary Baranich were his champions from the day they met. He adored them.

Mick was an avid hunter all his life until his health slowed him down. Mick and Mary both loved dirt track racing as spectators and sponsors. They made several trips following sprint cars. He still had his season tickets and was accompanied by his best friend Bob Cullers until last season when Bob passed away and then niece Debbie Wessel was his race buddy. Now both Bob and Mick are together and will be watching and rooting from above.

He started his summer career fishing in South Naknek Alaska (Bristol Bay) in 1963, fishing with his dad and took over the fishery when his dad retired. He bought his own boat a few years later and continued sockeye salmon fishing every summer with his sons until 2008 when he retired, and son Eric took over the fishery. After retiring he continued raising beef cattle on the family farm.

Mick was a founding member of the Satsop Fire Dept., Grays Harbor Fire District #5 in 1972 and served as a Firefighter and EMT until his retirement in 2004. He also served as a Grays Harbor Fire District #5 Fire Commissioner for many years.

Mick is survived by his grandchildren Nicholas (Jennifer) Gurnard, Sean (Jacque) Gurnard, Dale (MacKenzie) Anderson, Alex Patton, Angie (Adam) Patton and great grandchildren Peyton, Addi, Lexi Gurnard and Owen and Hudson Anderson.

Rock C and Dolly his dogs miss him.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter Miki Kathleen, his parents Lawrence and Julia Patton, his brother Larry Patton and sister-in-law Verna Patton.

A private family graveside service will be held for his family.

Charitable contributions may be made in his name to East County Food Bank or the Satsop United Methodist Church.