Monterey County

Michael G Patton, 75 years young, was born on North Island Naval Base, San Diego, California, the son of the late Loretta and Charles Patton of the Monterey Peninsula, the brother of Penny B Patton of Williamsburg, Virginia, uncle of Elizabeth B Kilgore of Williamsburg, Virginia, and Robert M Bruce of Darien, Connecticut, great uncle of Nick, Abby, Will, Zack, Charlie, Teddy, Poppy, Jack, and the life-long friend of former wife, Stephanie Bennett of Mount Shasta, California.

Michael graduated from Seaside High School in 1967, studied drafting and design at Monterey Peninsula College, then founded Design Consultants where he pursued his vision of organic architecture in residential design from Big Sur to San Francisco, uniquely employing glass, metal, and carbon fiber. These eye-defying mechanical implementations can be found in many public spaces like the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Roy’s at Spanish Bay, Post Ranch Big Sur, and Esalen.

Micheal was a loyal San Francisco Giants fan and member of the Sports Car Club of America. His long-time presence at Laguna Seca as marshaller and corner worker also included a stint as a circuit race driver. Michael’s “Patton Formula Vee” car won multiple regional, state, and national championships together with driver and owner of Brent Milner Racing behind the wheel and Michael in the paddock. Moving from the track to the street, Michael designed and built his own fiberglass-bodied McClaren-style sports car in the 1990s using components from Porsches and other makes.

Forever drawn to nature, Michael hiked every trail in Monterey County and was a regular at Soberanes, Point Lobos, and Garland Ranch. Michael completed the Big Sur Marathon twice and surfed longboards in the days before wetsuits. He took time off to fly fish with friends and explored California backroads on his white Harley Davidson.

As an amateur astronomer, he traveled far and wide to experience celestial events with family and friends, sharing his quest for the great Unknown. A talented photographer, Michael took many gallery-level photographs capturing the “spirit of this place”, spending many hours lost on Monterey County backroads looking for just the right angle and light. Michael always said, “Why would you ever want to live anywhere else?”

From the beginning of Michael’s renaissance-like life, he sought to share visions with remarkable, creative, talented friends and colleagues. Family and close friends alike witnessed Michael’s resilience in overcoming physical challenges with the recurring mantra of, “Take it to the limit - One more time.” His quiet, infallible determination continues toinspire.

Fall 2024, there will be a Gathering of Family and Friends. Please reach out at MichaelPattonHD80ci@gmail.com for an invitation. If you would like to join us in helping conserve the essence of the Monterey County natural environment he loved and found joy in, contributions may be made with checks payable to Ventana Chapter Sierra Club, P.O. Box 5667, Carmel, CA93921-5667.