story/Philip R. Patton

Celebration Turns to Mourning

Originally published in the Winter 2003 edition of Healing Waters
By Nancy West, Executive Director

Our board, staff and volunteers went from rejoicing over the HCA, Inc. and the HCA Foundation donation to mourning the death of Siloam Board Member and HCA, Senior Vice-President of Human Resources, Phil Patton.

The Wednesday that Phil’s plane crashed was a beautiful autumn day. I remember that there was not a cloud in the sky. It was a day most people wanted to be outside to enjoy the last of the warm weather. Phil must have felt that way too, because he told his assistant he was going flying for a couple of hours and that he would be back in plenty of time for his afternoon meting.

The single-engine plane that Phil owned with his brother David was reported missing when he did not return for his meeting. Next, came the tragic news came that the plane had crashed in rugged terrain near Fall Creek Falls State Park .

I still find it hard to express my feelings about the loss of this wonderful, unassuming man. Our first thoughts are for Susan, his wife, who is an RN and one of Siloam’s volunteer nurses and for their children Ben, Elizabeth and Julia. Phil is also survived by his parents and his brother.

The memorial service program quoted John 15:5, “I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” Certainly, Christ was evident in Phil’s life and he bore much fruit making a great impact on many individuals and organizations. I know he will be missed by the entire community.

Just how much he was loved and respected was certainly evident by the overflowing number of people who gathered at Christ Presbyterian Church for a “Service of Worship to Celebrate the Christian’s Hope” in remembrance of Phil’s life. How grateful we are for the hope that lives in the hearts of those who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. He not only gives hope of eternal life with Him, but He gives comfort to all who continue to mourn Phil’s death.