LANDO THOMAS PATTON,
82, of Little Rock, went to heaven on December 10, 2021, after a lengthy illness. He was born on February 6, 1939, in Wooster, Ark., to James Levi and Juanita Thomas Patton.
Lando is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Mark Thomas Patton; and daughter, Allyson Enlow; his brother, Jimmy A. Patton; and sister, Gena Patton Henry. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rosalie Trent Patton; his grandson, Cody Patton Enlow (Kristen); his sister, Bettye Sharon Patton Fussell; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lando was a member of West Rock Baptist Church in Little Rock. He was a mason, a member of Scimitar Shrine Temple, Shriners Mounted Patrol, and Pulaski County Mounted Patrol. He was also a Justice of the Peace in Saline County.
He graduated from Greenbriar High School in 1957, attended Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway, Ark., which is now the University of Central Arkansas and UALR.
Lando was in the construction demolition and excavating business and operated under the name of Patton Wrecking, beginning in 1959, working with his father and brother. He retired in 2008. He has so many loyal customers in his field, so much so that they would call him to do a job without taking other bids because they knew he would do a good job at a fair price. Lando was proud of his extensive excavation job for I-630.
Lando had so many friends. His sister used to joke with him and told him he would have to hire his friends to come to her funeral. His friends also commented, regardless of where they went, someone would appear who knew the name Lando Patton. One time it even happened on a camping trip in the mountains of Wyoming. A fellow neighboring camper yelled out, “Why, there’s Lando Patton”.
Lando lost his left forearm in a crane accident in 1960. This didn’t stop him from doing anything he set his mind to. He could play the guitar with the best of them (sing too). Water skiing with one arm was easy for Lando.
Another funny story…growing up, Lando wanted a motorcycle desperately but his mom and dad said NO. Well, Lando took the motor out of his mother’s washing machine and hooked it up to a bike. He rode that “homemade motorcycle” all over the streets of Greenbrier.
Lando had the gift of gab and a huge heart. He made each person he was talking to feel like they were the most important person in the world and he had unlimited time for them. That’s probably why his office was full of visitors.
His greatest pleasure was spending time with his grandson, Cody. Everywhere Lando went, it was Cody and Pop. Cody adored him. Pop taught Cody so many things: how to hunt and shoot a gun; riding horses was one of their favorite hobbies. Lando always loved his horses. Cody learned to drive a jeep when he was five years old. Lando taped up two phone books, screwed wooden blocks to the gas and brake pedals, and Cody was in the driver’s seat. He truly was the sunshine of Lando’s life.
As Lando’s health declined, Rosalie brought him home, where he wanted to be. Rosalie, along with many wonderful caregivers, took care of Lando for two years. A special thanks to Cathy, Tiffany and Beth.
Lando passed away quietly with Rosalie, Cody, and Kristen at his bedside. What a blessing!
Memorials can be made to West Rock Baptist Church, 14601 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, Ark., 72223, or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, Fla., 33607.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m., Thursday, December 16, 2021, Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark., 72211. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. Entombment to follow service at Forrest Hills Cemetery, Alexander, Ark.
Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.