Ronnie Nelson Patton

Ronnie Nelson Patton, age 71, the youngest son of Cecil and Clara Patton, was born in Norton, Texas, on January 7, 1943, and after a serious illness, died at the VA Medical Center in Big Spring, Texas, on November 30, 2014.

Ronnie graduated from Norton High School in 1962 and was voted "Shyest Senior." He followed his lifelong interest in electronics and mechanics and graduated from Durham Electronic College in San Antonio, Texas, in 1963.

He then joined the United States Navy in 1965, and served on the U.S.S. Arlington where he used his talents in electronics in the area of communications. In 1968, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Radio Man 3. His exemplary service during the Vietnam War is evidenced by the medals he earned: the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Star, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After the Navy, he moved to Abiquiu, New Mexico, where he lived until his illness was diagnosed in March, 2014. There he followed a career he loved--being a cowboy. He worked for area ranches including Alva Simpson (Rancho de Abiquiu), J.B. Fiveash, L.H. Hutton, Roy Schafer, and Marsha Mason. He also worked for Paul Luhman drilling water wells.

He found the time to provide wagons, horses, and even himself to movie companies during the production of several films. It was well known that during production, Ronnie never needed make up because he fit the part of "cowboy" perfectly. Movie credits include the Milagro Bean Field War (1986), Longarm (1987), Desperado (1987), The Gambler III (1987), Young Guns (1988), and Lonesome Dove (1988).

Over the years, Ronnie spent much of his private time writing cowboy poetry and using the ham radio. He was a member of the Santa Fe Amateur Radio Emergency Service.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Clara Patton and two brothers, Curtis Patton of Abilene and Cecil Wayne Patton of Brownwood.

He is survived by one sister-in-law, Dorothy Patton of Brownwood, Texas; two nieces, Deborah Foster and husband Rick Foster of Knott, Texas, and Darla Swanner and husband Joe of Abilene, Texas. He is also survived by two nephews Kenneth Patton and wife Mary Ann of Early, Texas, and David Patton and wife Ceil of Brownwood, Texas. Additionally, he was was blessed with nine great-nieces and nephews and seven great, great nieces and nephews.

He will be remembered and missed by a host of friends in Texas and New Mexico.

There will be a memorial service Ronnie on Saturday, December 13, 2014, at 2:00pm at Lange Funeral Home, 908 N 8th St., Ballinger, TX, officiated by Rick Foster.