Gale R. Patton

Gale R. "Stormy" Patton, 85, formerly of Cumru Township, passed away at Country Meadows, Wyomissing, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Born in Reading, he was a son of the late George and Kathryn (Fredericks) Patton, and the husband of the late Sara L. (Reifsnyder) Patton, who passed away in April, 2022. They shared 62 years of marriage. Gale was Dad to Sharon Patton (companion Jeff Leisey), Brian Patton, and Jane (Patton) Schmidt (husband Carlton). "Grandpop" was loved by his sixteen grandchildren: Derek, Abby, Boston, Dylan, Aubrey, Gracie, Kelsey, Tanner (wife Samantha), Jacqueline, Karly, Lucas, Myah, Cooper, Emma, Josiah, and Carter, as well as his seven great-grandchildren: Isaac, Viviana, Lydia, Kennedy, Nolan, Peyton, and Ashten. Also surviving are a niece, Vicki (Patton) Berger and a nephew, Kelly Patton. He was predeceased by his brother, C. Vernon Patton.

Graduating from Reading High in 1955, he was a stand-out athlete, excelling in basketball and baseball. He served in the U.S. Army, attended the Wyomissing Polytechnical Institute and had a life-long career as a draftsman/estimator, primarily for sprinkler systems. A lifetime Porsche enthusiast, Gale loved racing for Team Tortoise, competing in the Duryea hill climbs and making many treks to Watkin's Glen. The team families made many memories together, with summer picnics and weekend camping trips. He was also an avid golfer, bowler, devoted Boston Red Sox fan, and loved teaching kids to play ball, coaching little league and legion teams. He was always there to watch his kids' and grandkids' sporting events and debriefed with them afterward.

Thank you to the staff of the Country Meadows Connections Unit, as well as the nurses from Grane Hospice, who cared for and guided Gale, as he navigated his journey with dementia. Thanks to them also for supporting his family, for whom this truly has been the longest goodbye.

The Kuhn Funeral Home, West Reading, is graciously assisting the family with final arrangements, and burial will be private. In honor of Gale, simply take a moment to consider that today's moments will become tomorrow's memories, and what the mind might forget, the heart will always remember.