Harlo James Patton

Harlo James Patton peacefully passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at his home in Carrollton Texas. He was born July 15, 1930 in Quincy, Illinois to Harold and Pauline Osterman Patton. He graduated from Golden (Illinois) High School in 1948, having played on the High School Basketball team and named “honorary captain” as well as “best male citizen” his senior year. While in High School he met the love of his life, and on June 4, 1950, he married Mary “Maxine” Burrow.

Harlo enlisted in the United States Army January 1952, serving his country during the Korean War. While in the Army, he participated in the development of guided missiles and graduated from the Army’s Guided Missile School. His excellent ratings while taking classes later enabled him to become an instructor of the Nike missile.

Following his discharge from the Army, Harlo accepted a job with IBM as a Customer Engineer. His career took he and Maxine to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he remained with IBM for 38 years, until his retirement in 1992. Tulsa will always be “home” to Harlo and Maxine, where they were active in their church community, having been charter members of Bethany Lutheran Church. In 2012, he and Maxine relocated to Plano (Dallas) Texas to be near family.

Harlo enjoyed spending time with his immediate family. His passion for sports, particularly motorsports, was shared by his grandson, Jonathan. Together, they would spend many hours watching the sport and enjoying each other’s company. He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Maxine, his daughter Janelle Patton Hufnagel, son-in-law John Hufnagel and his two grandchildren Jennifer and Jonathan, all of Plano, Texas.

Gravesite services are scheduled for 10am Thursday, September 10 at the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Mr. & Mrs. James A. Stroud Foundation (501c3) via Sonoma House Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s Care at 2048 E. Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton, TX 75007. ( sonomahouseal.com )