Gordon S. Patten, 83, from Stanley, died Saturday, September 3, 2022 at Mayfair Assisted Living Home, Mesa, AZ. Springan Stevenson Funeral Home in Stanley is assisting the family.

Gordon was born September 25, 1938, at his home in Parshall, ND, the son of Raymond and Gladys (Locken) Patten. He was educated in Plaza school but attended his last three years and graduated from Parshall. He furthered his education at Minot Teacher’s College and graduated with a degree in Music Education with a minor in psychology. He also attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND for continued education. On May 8, 1959, he was united in marriage to Connie Johnson in Parshall, ND. They made their home in Minot and later moved to Anamoose, Velva, Inkster, and Stanley teaching music.

Throughout his life, Gordon provided well for his family and gave his children the opportunity to attend colleges of their choice. He enjoyed building, golfing, playing music with his grandkids, and performing with his groups, as well as the special times with his good friend, Stan Wright. He played almost every instrument, but his favorites included clarinet, saxophone, and electric piano. He prided himself in passing his love of music on to anyone and everyone, especially to his children and grandchildren. He always said, “If you can talk you can sing,” and he proved that to many. He had a way of getting kids to join his high school chorus, to the amazement of the onlookers at contest performances— “Is choir required in Stanley (Velva, Midway)?” His love was his marching band. He really knew how to teach his students technical steps marching down the streets and performing during football half-time shows.

Gordon was involved in the North Dakota American Legion Band, Dixieland Band, High School Marching Bands, American Lutheran Church in Stanley, and Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Gilbert, AZ, as well as, musicals including Hello Dolly, Carnival, and the 1976 Bicentennial. He was also a businessman who owned the Tastee Freeze in Velva, Patten’s Post, Prairie Host Motel and Lounge, and ShurStop Gas all in Stanley, ND. If Gordon didn’t know how to do something, he taught himself, including building many homes and businesses not only around Stanley, (the family home, the restaurant, motel and lounge, single-family homes) but also various places in North Dakota and Arizona. After Gordon retired from teaching music in North Dakota, he felt the need to continue teaching in Arizona.

He is survived by his wife, Connie; son, Kelly (Lynn); and daughters, Dawnelle (Gene) Peterson, and Cammy (Jon) Corpron; siblings, Robert (Vonnie), Judy Dietrich, and Gary; grandchildren, Tiara (Mike) LaMarca, Tricia (Seth) Danenberg, Ryan (Jane) Peterson, Jordan Peterson, Emily Patten, Sarah (Kyle) Criss, Jonathan (Kazy) Patten, Matthew Patten, Robbie (Tina) Corpron, Joshua Corpron, Chrystyna (Cliff) Mercer, and Jacob Corpron; 10 great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Phyllis Westgard and Doris Braaflat; and his oldest son, Cary.