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Patton "Pat" N. Syler, 98, died Wednesday, May 19, 2004. Pat was born in Stephenville, TX, on Wednesday, November 29, 1905. He was the son and first child of William and Maggie Syler. Pat is survived by his son, Ron Syler and his wife, Nelmah Syler of Albuquerque, NM; granddaughter, Ginger Syler and husband, Kasey Hellmoldt, and great grandson, David Syler, all of Belen, NM; and nephews, Robert and Wayne Baker of Phoenix, AZ. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Bessie; his parents; his grandson, Grant Syler and his only sibling, Edna Baker. Pat was the son of a farmer and cattle rancher with homes in Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona. While growing up, he helped work the family places, participating in cattle drives when the family moved by covered wagon within Texas. The family moved to a farm in Phoenix, AZ by train, when Pat was eleven. He remained a resident of Arizona from then until January, 2001 when he moved to Albuquerque to be close to his immediate family. In Phoenix he graduated from Isaac Grade School, Phoenix Union High School and Phoenix College. He also attended the University of Arizona studying civil engineering. The depression ended his college days and he started working for the Arizona Highway Department. Pat continued to study on his own and became a registered Civil Engineer, specializing in highway construction. His career included working for the State of Arizona (District Engineer), Maricopa County (Assistant County Engineer), Coconino County (County Engineer) and private highway contractors. He was president of the Arizona Association of County Engineers for two terms and has been listed in the Who's Who of Arizona. Due to the nature of his work, he and his family lived in towns and highway camps all over Arizona until settling in Flagstaff in 1958. He remained there until 2000, when he moved to a retirement home in Cottonwood, AZ, after Bessie's death. In Flagstaff, he and his wife were members of Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church where he was the church Financial Secretary for 25 years. They had many friends with whom they maintained a very active social life. Pat was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Elks Club in Flagstaff. After retiring in 1972, he and Bessie traveled extensively in the states and abroad. Pat celebrated his 80th birthday in Bangkok, Thailand with Bessie, Ron and Nelmah. Pat especially enjoyed his 27-foot cabin cruiser and the many fishing trips to Glen Canyon with his friends and family. Services will be held Saturday, May 22, 2004, 11:00 a.m., at French Mortuary, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE with Reverend Dewey Johnson, officiating. Interment will be with Bessie at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE. Memorial contributions may be made to Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church, 1601 N. San Francisco, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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