Dale M. Patton, age 71, of Independence, Kansas passed away January 18, 2026.

Dale was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Travis and Pauline Patton. He was a 1972 graduate of Bristow High School. He married Jo Ellen Bain in 1977. They had one daughter, Julie. Jo Ellen preceded Dale in death in 1979. He then married Valerie Brown in 1981, who formally adopted Julie.

Dale was an avid hunter in his youth, and remained a lover of the outdoors, and was a gun enthusiast throughout his life. His nickname in high school was "Bird". He worked as an industrial engineer for Kwikset Locks in Bristow, Oklahoma, and Emerson Electric and Cessna in Independence before retiring. He also owned the Sportsman sporting goods store in Independence.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Valerie, daughter Julie, sister Paulette Womack, brother-in-law Dick, sisters-in-law, Vicki Barnes (husband Robert) and Vanessa Murphy (husband John), brother-in-law Andrew Brown (wife Sheila), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dale had many true life-long friends and acquaintances.

Services will be held at Hutchins-Maples Matherly Funeral Home in Bristow on Friday, January 30th at 2:00. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Bristow Historical Society.