Craig Matthew Patton's Obituary
On April 10, 2026, the world tragically lost a good and patriotic man, Craig Matthew Patton, age 54.
Craig was born in Tacoma, Washington, and lived most of his life in Western Washington, with brief periods living in Arizona (too hot!) and Missouri (not enough water!). At the time of his death, he lived in Des Moines, Washington, where he had a much-loved view of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound from his deck where he captured sunset after sunset as if preserving pieces of the world that spoke to him.
Craig was passionate about racing and had been a competitive Kart racer when he was younger, even becoming the 2002 Puget Sound Go Kart Association’s Sr. SuperKart Champion. His collection of speeding infractions also suggests that he loved to drive his trusty Mazda CX-5 more quickly than posted speed limits. He was handy and enjoyed fixing up his cars. One of his greatest disappointments was having his Saleen Mustang wrecked by a careless driver.
Craig was preceded in death by his best four-legged friend, Buddy, a mixed breed who was by his side for over a decade. When Buddy was diagnosed with cancer, Craig left his job to take an extended road trip across the Western U.S., making sure Buddy had the time of his life. Buddy lived for five more years, much to the surprise of his vets. Craig wore a small vial of Buddy’s ashes around his neck in honor of their time together. Their ashes will be mingled together and released into the world they explored side by side, a final journey through some of the beloved places that shaped their story.
Craig was intensely loyal, often quiet in crowds, but he could be chatty with friends and family. He loved America, golfing, visiting breweries, and talking politics, about which he had strongly held views. He was deeply loved and never lost his boyish enthusiasm and good looks.
Craig’s steadfast reliability was one of his defining qualities. Whether asked to dog‑sit, house‑sit, or care for a cherished bird, he responded with unfailing commitment. In times of need, he never hesitated to stand beside those who called.
Craig’s memory lives on in the hearts of his father, Mike (Barbara) Patton of Ocean Shores, WA; his mother, Karen Patton of University Place, WA; his brother, Gary (Jennifer) Patton of Juneau, AK, his sister, Kim (Calvin) Oglesbee of Wenatchee, WA; and his niece Kadence Patton of Juneau, AK. He is also lovingly remembered by his cousins, uncles, aunts, extended family, and the many friends who treasured him.
May Craig rest in peace, returning to the landscapes he loved and the gentle rhythms of nature that always felt like home, surrounded in memory by the companions who walked beside him.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 9th at Gasworks Brewery, located at 2441 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA.
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