Bradley, Kristin & Nathan Patton

Family life is full of major and minor crises - the ups and downs of health, successes and failures, marriage and family - and all kinds of characters. It is tied to places and events and histories. With all of these details, life etches itself into our memory. It is difficult to imagine anything more nourishing to the soul.

This is the story of the Patton family - a story of triumph and tragedy - but a wonderful story, nevertheless.

Our story begins in 1970, a time of heightened concern for the environment and increased space exploration. When families took vacations, they went in the family station wagon, or one of the new RVs. Pat and Terry Patton lived in Ann Arbor and, although Terry liked to work on cars, he and his wife were more excited about the birth of their first child. Young Bradley arrived on February 26, 1970, filling his parents' hearts with love and joy. Brad lived with his parents on a farm in Superior Township , a farm where Pat and Terry still reside.

When Brad was just a month old, his father opened a business restoring antique and classic cars in the barn next to the house. The happenings at the barn became a part of young Brad's life, and even as a preschooler, he worked along side his dad, sorting nuts, bolts and screws. Not at all shy, Brad interacted with the other employees like he belonged there.

When Brad was two, his sister Heather was born, and she and Brad were constant playmates. Accompanied by the family cats and dogs, brother and sister were very content. Besides - Brad had a "job" to keep him busy. When not "working" or playing, Brad and Heather went into Ann Arbor to the local YMCA several times a week. Here, they took part in enriching activities and classes. Family vacations included several trips to various parts of the country.

Brad attended Freeman Elementary in Dixboro, a school that drew students from the rural area and the village. Brad now had new playmates and joined the Dixboro Boy Scout Troop as a Cub Scout. It was the perfect learning experience for a young boy who would become a life-saving fireman as an adult. Through his years of dedication, Brad was able to attain the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest advancement rank in Scouting. He relished each and every opportunity to go camping and the special opportunities to hike the Appalachian Trail and through Isle Royal , in Lake Superior . It was through Scouts that Brad met Ron Smith, a meeting that led to Brad's interest in firefighting.

Brad went on to Clague Middle School , where he played the tuba, as well as participated in football and community soccer. While a student at Huron High School , Brad began working at the Fishbeck farm. With the knowledge gained from working on the farm, Brad went on after graduation to attend Michigan State University where he majored in Agribusiness.

Our story now goes back to 1970 once again, to July 25, 1970. A young Army officer and his wife were stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma , and the serviceman was given four extra weeks of leave time to spend with his wife and first child, a baby girl, before leaving for Vietnam . The baby girl's name was Kristin, a name her father found while anxiously sitting in the waiting room during the delivery.

Kristin considered herself a real "Army brat". The family, which now included Missy and Mark, lived in six different states and then spent six years in Germany - the typical life of an Army officer and his family. Pets were a part of the family, and along with poodles Gigi and Bridget, Kristin also had numerous fish and hamsters to keep her company. Even though the family was constantly on the move, family ties were very important and they did their best to stay in touch with other relatives. With Kristin being the oldest, she often assumed the role of leader and protector. When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Kristin would always say "a mom". After graduating from high school, Kristin attended Michigan State University , where our two stories become one.

Brad and Kristin, through mutual friends, met on a blind date. Kristin was very nervous and excited about the date, and soon found out that she and Brad had much in common. For Brad, he knew right away Kristin was going to be his life-long companion. Both were blessed with a great sense of humor and Kristin enjoyed the outdoors as much as Brad. It truly was a match made in heaven.

Brad and Kristin were married on March 2, 1991 at Zion Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor . According to all who attended, the wedding was fantastic. With degree in hand and a family to support, Brad went back to work for the Fishbeck farm. It was an ideal situation, for here he got to be out-of-doors, run machinery and solve problems. He also decided to become a fireman and joined the Superior Fire Department as an on-call firefighter. With all his activities, Brad still kept track of what his father was doing with his restoration business. Brad loved farming and was very proud of their new combine. He would work in the fields until late at night, usually with Irving for company. Becoming a full time firefighter with the City of Ypsilanti Fire Department opened up a whole new phase for Brad.

Brad and Kristin were now living on a farm of their own in Superior Township with their beloved black lab, Irving . Soon, however, Irving 's feet were not the only ones to go pitter-pat through the house. Brad and Kristin were blessed with three beautiful children - daughters Taylor and Emily, and son Nathan. Kristin was a devoted and loving mother who was constantly worrying about their well-being. To assure herself that all was well, mother and children spent a lot of time snuggling on the couch and watching movies. Their days were punctuated by many hugs and kisses from Kristin. Kristin was dedicated to her children, always putting their needs first. A good listener, her sweet and caring personality naturally drew people to her. Everyone felt comfortable in her presence. Kristin loved to talk on the phone, and talked to her sister at least once a day. She loved being a wife and mother and often said that her wedding and the births of her children were the greatest days of her life. Kristen had recently gone back to school at Eastern Michigan University to become a nurse, something of which Brad was extremely proud. His mother provided daycare so that Kristin could realize her dream.

Brad and Kristin's second child, Nathan, was born on March 2, 1997, His older sister, Taylor Mary, was three and a half when Nathan was born and she was very excited to have a new baby brother. When Nathan was two years old, Brad and Kristin moved the family from the family farm to a home in Dixboro.

Even as a baby, Nathan had the ability to charm everyone he met. The next-door neighbor, Mara Kent, described Nathan as a " happy-go-lucky kid" and with his blue eyes and blond hair, he looked just like his father. Young Nathan was a bright boy and his powers of observation and perception were well beyond his years. He was intelligent, curious, and had a passion for learning, all things that kept the adults in his life on their toes, trying to keep up. Like most little boys, Nathan was drawn to anything with wheels. He loved spending time with "the guys", doing what they were doing. The guys were his father and grandfather and Brad often brought Nathan to work with him when helping his father restore cars. Like his father before him, Nathan had a "job" and even had his own little workbench at the shop. Nathan also liked to spend time with Grandma Patton, especially when she was making cherry bread. Camping was a family tradition and the trailer was continually filled with fun and laughter. Nathan had just finished the second grade at the Thurston Elementary School , where he loved his teachers and classmates. Even in his short eight years, Nathan had developed some favorites - Star Wars, playing soccer, NASCAR, and getting ice cream from the Washtenaw Dairy. His lucky shirt, which he wore all the time, was a Washtenaw Dairy T-shirt. He enjoyed going to the library, riding his bicycle, playing on his Play Station and going fishing.

It is often almost impossible to understand the events in our lives, why they happen and who they happen to. Brad and Kristin Patton and their family did everything together. They were raised by good parents and were bringing up good children. Brad was described by Ypsilanti Fire Captain Bill Wagner, as "one of those guys you could really count on... he was a family guy and excellent firefighter." Mara Kent said that it was Brad and Kristin's nature to always be helping others and the community.

Brad Patton had been working for months with his father, restoring a rare, vintage Duesenberg car. The finished car was a thing of beauty and Brad decided to take his family for one final ride before the car was returned to its owner. Not far from their home in Superior Township , the car was hit broadside by a driver running a stop sign. Emily and Taylor were seriously injured but would survive. Brad, Kristin and Nathan would not.

We have not been promised skies always blue, or flower-strewn pathways all through our lives. We've not been promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow, or peace without pain. But we have been promised strength for the day, grace for the trials, unfailing sympathy, and undying love. May these thoughts and the memories created by Brad, Kristin and Nathan, sustain those who loved them, and give them the strength to carry on.

Bradley, Kristin and Nathan died suddenly on Saturday, July 30, 2005, the result of an automobile accident. Survivors include the couples' two daughters and Nathan's sisters, Taylor and Emily Patton, Bradley's parents T. Terry and Patricia Patton, his sister Heather Patton and brother-in-law Mark Hilgers, his grandmother Marie Rix, Kristin's parents Alan and Sonja Catron, her sister Melissa Mika and her husband David, her brother Mark and Jennifer Catron, her step-mother Grace Catron, her grandparents Bert and Virginia Catron and many family, friends, classmates and fellow firefighters.

The family will receive friends at the Nie Life Story Funeral Home, 2400 Carpenter Rd. , on Saturday, August 6th, 2005 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm and again on Sunday August 7th from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. The funeral service will be held on Monday, August 8th at Zion Lutheran Church , 1501 W. Liberty , Ann Arbor, MI at 11:00 am with visitation from 10:00 am until the time of service with Pastor Barry Ludwig officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery .

Please visit the Patton Family's personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory, or sign the guest book. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: The Patton Family Memorial Fund, c/o IAFF Local 401, 525 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, MI 48197 or the Patton Family Memorial Fund, Ypsilanti Area Federal Credit Union, 424 Mansfield St., Ypsilanti, MI 48197 .