1953-2026
James Scott Patton, 73, of Hutchinson, died March 21, 2026. He died as he liked to drive on the track - fast. Scott was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer on his 73rd birthday. Five short weeks later we had to say goodbye. He was surrounded by his wife, daughter, and ever faithful companions, Butchie and Bibi.
Scott was born to Donald W. Patton and Georgia Lee Haun Patton on February 11, 1953, in Hutchinson. He graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1971 and attended HCC and KU before returning home to join the family business, Wade Patton Insurance.
Scott was known by many as husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, friend, insurance agent, race car driver, antique car enthusiast, and firetruck driver in all parades. He loved his dogs but would never admit it - bathing them weekly and brushing them nightly. When he was told he was a good dog daddy, his consistent reply was, “I ain’t no dog daddy”.
Scott was a man of many talents, having taken up water-color painting in retirement. As he would say, he was a jack of all trades but master of none but he did manage to fix anything. Scott loved to drive any vehicle from his golf cart to race car Datsun 240Z.
Scott belonged to many community organizations over the years such as Crime Stoppers, AMBUCS, and others. He believed in doing quiet deeds but not mention them. Scott loved one woman and many cars, as the saying goes. Nothing made him happier than to work on a car and then go to a car show and admire others’ work.
Scott married Abby Wilson in 1977. They later divorced. On December 31, 2003, he married Tracy Lynn Whitney in Eureka Springs, AR.
Scott is survived by his wife, Tracy of the home; mother, Georgia Vogt of Phoenix, AZ; son, Brad Patton (Sorrell) of Hutchinson; daughter, MacKenzie Carlson (Andrew) of Hutchinson; son, Sullivan Bohren of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Gavin and Collin Patton, Willow, Adelaide, Cici, MariaJosé, Evie, Etta and Elsie Carlson; brother, Bill Patton of Hutchinson; sister, Danna Miller of Missoula, MT; and sister, Sandy Vargo (Mike) of Scottsdale, AZ.
He was preceded in death by his father, Donald W. Patton; sister, Leann Patton; and stepmother, Barbara “Skip” Patton.
Memorial Service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Trinity United Methodist Church, with Reverend Dr. Kim Biery and Chaplain Jeff Owen presiding. Following the service there will be procession to Dillon Nature Center for a reception there. To honor Scott, all car enthusiasts please drive your special car for the procession. Scott was a quiet man but loved a parade!
Friends may sign his memorial book family from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the family present to receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to fund either the Fred S. Duesenberg or Jay Leno Popular Mechanics Scholarships at McPherson College Automotive Restoration Technology program, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
Mr. Patton has left a huge hole in our lives that seems impossible to fill.
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