John Patching

Our husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, John William Patching, passed away at the age of 71, in his home in Manti, Utah, November 22, 2013, surrounded by family. He lived a dignified and courageous life that saw him through the relentless progression of metastatic prostate cancer.



John was born March 31, 1942 in Alameda, California. He was the oldest of three children born to loving parents, John Thurston Patching and Margaret Lillian Bartling. He graduated from



C. K. McClatchy High School in Sacramento, California, in1960 and a few years later joined the Californa National Guard.



John married Linda Mary Sawyer in Los Gatos, California, April 6, 1968, and they were sealed for time and all eternity November 23, 1968, in the Oakland Temple. John cherished Linda throughout their 45 years of marriage. They raised eight children in California's bay area and Provo,Utah. John and Linda later moved to Manti, Utah.



John received a Bachelor's degree in both Archeology and Anthropology at Brigham Young University in1972. John worked as an A&P Mechanic and Engineering Technical Writer at United Airlines for 35 years before retiring. After moving to Provo, Utah, he began working for Rocky Mountain Outfitters as a fly fishing guide. He was a guide on the Provo River for ten years and enjoyed the ever changing beauty of the canyon.



John had an adventurous spirit. When he was young he loved scouting, skiing, and sailing. As he matured he added boating, fly fishing, target shooting, and reloading. He loved his little black cat, Kitty, whom he tamed with love. Additionally, he enjoyed traveling and had a special place in his heart for New Zealand. When he wasn't on an adventure of his own he could often be found reading about one. He was an avid reader and loved to learn. Often, his childrens' interests became his own, which fostered a close bond between them. A unique attribute about John was that no matter what he pursued, it wasn't enough to just dabble but rather he strived for mastery. This characteristic carried over into every aspect of his life including his family and his religious beliefs.



John always made it perfectly clear that he loved his family and his Father in Heaven. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings. John spent countless hours doing family history and took great joy in learning about his ancestors. He loved serving as an ordinance worker in both the Provo and Manti temples and considered the opportunity the highlight of his life. John tried to teach his children and grandchildren what matters most in life. He taught them the gospel of Jesus Christ thru example and by his words. His legacy of compassion, faith, and hope, will always be remembered by those who knew him.



John is survived by his wife, Linda, and his eight children, Jared (Holly), Tyler (Emma), Blaine (Sunny), Tamara (Christopher), Nathan (Ashley), Michael (Leslie), John, and Jennifer (Mark); and



17 beautiful grandchildren, (soon to be 18), whom he loved and adored. He is also survived by his brother and sister, Roger and Laraine Patching, of California.



There will be a celebration of his life Tuesday, November 26th at 12 p.m. in the LDS Church, 295 South Main Street, Manti, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 11a.m.-12 p.m. at the same location. Following the service, interment will take place at Manti City Cemetery.



In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to help cover John's medical and final expenses. Please contact John's daughter, Tamara Seiler, at tjseiler@hotmail.com or call/text her at (801) 361-1563 for more information.



The Family would like to express our gratitude for the outpouring of love and support we have received recently and throughout the years.



Funeral Services will be held November 26th, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. in the LDS Church, 295 S Main Street, Manti. A viewing will be held the same day from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00p.m. in the church. Interment will be in the Manti City Cemetery.



November 25, 2013 at 3:47 am | #



Dear Linda and Family!



May you find peace at this time in the knowledge that you will be together again. I love you Linda. And John, I feel so priveledged to have known you. May you rest in peace as your legacy continues with your beautiful family.



Love & Light!



Elizabeth Teerlink



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November 25, 2013 at 5:01 am | #



My Dear Linda,



You have my deepest respect and gratitude for allowing me to be a part of yours and Johns life. John was a gentle man who adored you and his family. I am so honored to have been a part of his life. I will miss his smile so much. May you find comfort in your faith these next few months and know John is only a breath away still smiling at you. He will find you again just like Prince Charming always finds his Princess. You are my hero. I love you both.



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November 25, 2013 at 8:28 am | #



To our Dear Friend Linda and all of your loved one's.



You and John were wonderful friends and examples to us in our time together in Katikati NZ.



We loved our time with you and when you went away to your family we bugged you about returning home to us on the next standby flight!



Thank you both so much for all your kindnesses to us and our family. We look forward to seeing you again -whether in this life or the next,



Love Arthur & Tiffany



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November 25, 2013 at 1:22 pm | #



Dear Linda and family;



We love you and want you to know that we will miss John and his kind ways. Watching him fight through his final struggle was an amazing living tutorial on how to remain optimistic in the face of of extreme odds, how to bounce back after a painful episode..again!...how to smile at all that is good while adversity is banging at the door and how to meekly move on, trusting that all will be well and that life will continue to be a beautiful river for your loved ones!



What a man! What a legacy!



Love always,



Sorenson's



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November 25, 2013 at 4:16 pm | #



Keeping you all in our prayers.



Shanti, Bill, Lauren & Julia Halter



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November 25, 2013 at 4:59 pm | #



May you find peace and comfort at this time. Prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.



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November 25, 2013 at 6:03 pm | #



Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time. Not only with Michael and Leslie but with the whole Patching family. God Bless You!



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November 25, 2013 at 7:40 pm | #



Dear Linda,



We are still in Romania, but we just heard about John and I wanted to let you know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. You both have been an example of meeting life head-on with a positive approach. May the Lord's kindest comfort be with you.



Much love,



Claralyn Hill



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November 26, 2013 at 1:17 am | #



Sister Patching,



Our hearts and prayers go with you and your family. His great example is going to be in our memories forever. He is now with our Heavenly Father, helping Him from the other side as he did here during his life. Families are forever! What a wonderful promise!



We love you.



Olga & Mark Willey



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November 26, 2013 at 5:04 am | #



My prayers are with you tonight. May heavenly Father gave you comfort and peace in your loss knowing that some day you will be with John again. We love you. Bless you.



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November 26, 2013 at 5:56 am | #



Love to you Linda, and your beautiful Family. Lucky that Families are forever because you are such a team, and our hearts go to you all...as you miss your husband, father, and grandfather.



REST NOW PAPPY. No more skiing for just a wee while. Love to you



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November 28, 2013 at 4:34 am | #



On this thanksgiving eve, I am grateful for my brief, but memorable association with John. Linda, my thoughts, prayers and love go out to you and your family!!



Kia kaha, kia toa, kia manawanui,



Aroahanui,



~Mana



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