Email Museum

White Deer Land Museum

116 S. Cuyler

Pampa, TX 79065

John Mack Patton was active in the affairs of early Pampa

John Mack Patton and Virginia Cecil Keith met at Texola, Oklahoma in the Methodist church where he sang in the choir. They were married on December 15, 1901, at Texola.

In 1910 John Mack and Virginia Cecil, with their children, Otto Drew, Zelda Mae and Mary Viola, moved to Pampa where Bonnie Clara and Virginia Babe were born. John Mack purchased a farm nine miles south of Pampa and farmed until 1916 when his family moved to town so that the children could attend school. All five children attended the Red Brick Schoolhouse (309 North Cuyler) and graduated from Pampa High School (126 West Francis).

John Mack bought out a transfer line and in the next years hauled and delivered building material for fast-growing Pampa. He also delivered feed for stock on area ranches and many times spent as long as three days going to the Ledrick ranch on Chicken Creek north of Pampa. Sometimes he would be gone for days when a rain or snow blew in and there would be no word of his welfare.

In 1915 Fred Johnson presented the name of John Mack Patton in the election for town marshall. He served two years as special officer, sometimes doing the duties of fire chief, mayor, tax assessor and collector, all at the same time. At one time he resigned the office to handle his private business, but a petition was signed for his reinstatement and he remained in office until 1922, when he resigned and Sheriff E.S. Graves was elected.

That year he was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad. In 1928 he worked as a special officer on the line built to Clinton, Oklahoma (Clinton and Oklahoma western). After his retirement he spent some time in Hamp Brown's Barber Shop on North Cuyler and would cashier on Saturdays.

The first Patton home in Pampa was located on the corner of West Foster and North Somerville. The Olsen family lived across the street south - Olsen had a blacksmith shop. The W.P. Davis family lived close by - Davis was owner of the Davis Hardware. The L.H. Sullins family were neighbors also - Sullins, who founded Sullins Plumbing Company, sold the first wringer-type washing machine to Virginia Cecil.

The Pattons sold their first home in Pampa to a theater company in Oklahoma that built the Rex Theater (later La Vista-now vacant) at 318 West Foster. The Pattons had a new stucco home built at 622 East Foster. It was a long walk to town and the high school north of the courthouse.

John Mack and Virginia Cecil Patton were honored at a reception in their home on East Foster on Sunday, December 16, 1951 (the day after their 50th wedding anniversary). All five children were present for the golden anniversary of their parents.

Virginia Cecil died September 5, 1953 and John Mack died February 11, 1964. Both are buried in Fairview Cemetery.

Otto Patton, who married Mildred Fahy, died at the Wilcox Oil Company Warehouse in 1959. Their youngest daughter, Ottolene (Mrs. Ray Jones), lives in Pampa.

Zelda Patton (now deceased) married Fuqua S. Stafford and lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Mary Patton (now deceased) married George Brown at Clarendon and lived at Howardwick.

Bonnie Patton met Vernon Stuckey at the Schneider Hotel where he was working in the hotel barber shop and she was employed at the cigar stand and fountain. Bonnie and Vernon married in 1940. Their first child, Gary Vernon, died in infancy. Vernon served in the Army during World War II. After his return from service, Patricia and John Schuyler were born. Vernon worked again as a barber at the CombsWorley Shop and at the Hughes Building Shop. Bonnie is deceased, but Vernon still lives in Pampa.

Virginia B. Patton had her first job at the age of 14 when she worked at the cigar stand in the Schneider Hotel. She has worked for the Postal Telegraph, Girl Scouts (two years as head), Bentley's, Gilbert's, and for herself with Hilcoa Foods. She has held offices in the Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Pampa Credit Women's Club and Top O'Texas Republican Women's Club.

In 1939 Virginia married Harry F. McDonald, Jr. They are active members of the First Christian Church where Virginia has served in many capacities. Their daughters are Linda Joyce Borden of Dallas and Gayle Lynne Casey of Houston.

H.F. McDonald retired from Dorchester after working 31 years. He and Virginia continue to live in Pampa.