Dr. Michael James Patton

Friday, Sep. 02, 2016

Our dearly beloved father, grandfather, and friend, Michael James Patton, passed away on Aug. 16, 2016 in Holladay, Utah with his family by his side. He was born July 20, 1936 in Chicago, Ill. to Joseph Daniel (J.D.) and Marie (Nancy) Patton. Michael married Rita Rose Colicchia on Aug. 20, 1960 in Bellaire, Ohio and they spent 56 wonderful years together raising their family, pursuing their careers in higher education, and enjoying retirement until Rita passed away on Feb. 29, 2016.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science in education from the University of Idaho in 1958, where he was a member of the storied Vandaleers choir, senior class president, and president of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, Michael attended the Ohio State University, where he obtained a Master’s of Arts in psychology in 1960. He returned to Ohio State and received a Ph.D. in psychology in 1966. 

In 1968, Michael moved with his family to Salt Lake City, where he worked for many years at the University of Utah, first as the Dean of Students, and later as a professor in the Department of Educational Psychology. He went on to chair the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. 

During his long career in higher education, Michael developed many enduring friendships with the doctoral students whose careers he helped launch. 

In addition to his academic career, Michael worked to promote the discipline of professional psychology. He was a distinguished researcher and author and served as president of the Utah Psychological Association, president of Division 17, the Society of Counseling Psychologists, of the American Psychological Association (APA), and member of the APA’s Commission on Accreditation of doctoral programs. In retirement, he joyfully gave his time and expertise to the Clinical Pastoral Education program at St. Mark’s Hospital.

Michael is survived by his daughters, Beth (Mike) Dillon and Julie Burns; grandchildren Anne Marie (Jesse) Shetlar, Stephen (Summer) Cowley, and Sean Burns; great-grandchildren Everett Cowley, Macie Rose Shetlar, and James Shetlar; sister-in-law Mary DeCola, and nieces Diana (Tommaso) Ciaffoncini, Christal (Andrew) McDowell, and Suellen (Gary) DeCola; and, although related by love rather than biology, long-time friends the Rev. Ernest L. Bebb, Jane Bebb, and Kevin (Inka) Bebb. 

A Celebration of Life Service for family and friends was held at Starks Funeral Parlor; a private family committal service was held at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.