MEMORIAL CELEBRATION IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOHN SHELDON “COACH SHELL” PATTON June 29, 1963 - December 24, 2022

MEMORIAL SERVICE Saturday, January 14, 2023 11AM Second Baptist Church 925 S. Shamrock Ave. Monrovia, CA 91016 Celebration Officiants PASTOR MARK RUSSELL MINISTER DAVID MITCHELL

ORDER OF SERVICE Musical Prelude........................................................................Dr. Robert Cook Processioal.............................................................................Clergy and Family Hymn of Assurance ...................Amazing Grace”..........Gathered Assembly

HOLY SCRIPTURES Old Testament ................................”Psalms 23”....................Reggie Stephens New Testament ...................... II Corinthians 5: 7- 8.............. Michael Wilson Prayer of Comfort .............................................................Tony Crutchfield Sr. Solo................................................. Precious Lord ......................... Adele Davis

TRIBUTES Acknowledgment of Condolences ........................................Christian Patton Second Baptist Church Ushers.......................... Diakona LaVonne Husband Memorial Expressions ............. (2 minutes or less)......... Friends and Family Obituary ....................................................................................Christian Patton Solo...................................... His Eye is on the Sparrow............... Adele Davis Eulogy................................................................................. Pastor Mark Russell Invitational Prayer ..................................................... Minister David Mitchell

RECESSIONAL Clergy, Family Members and Gathered Assembly Closing Song ............................................................................Dr. Robert Cook

Due to the COVID pandemic, seating in at Second Baptist Church is limited and requires social distancing. We appreciate that those who attend will wear masks while indoors during the service.

OBITUARY John Sheldon Patton was born to the union of June Elizabeth and John Hunt Patton on June 29, 1963 in Pasadena, California. Sadly in 1966, when Sheldon was three years of age, his biological father passed away. Years later, June married Ernest Johnson and together they raised Sheldon. God showed His favor when Sheldon and Dana were born and by all that has happened. Sheldon attended Pasadena public schools - San Rafael Primary, Cleveland Elementary, and John McKinley Junior High. In 1981, he graduated from Blair High School and later attended Pasadena City College. During his youth Sheldon developed a love for the game of football. He was a member of the Mustangs, a Pee Wee football team. Later, during his junior and senior years at Blair High School, he was a wide-receiver. As his passion for the sport increased Shelton became John Muir High School’s Assistant Coach. In addition to coaching football and track, he was employed as a security guard at Muir. For years, Sheldon also served as an assistant coach for Pop Warner football teams - the Panthers and the Giants. In 1995, Southern California Interscholastic Football Coaches Association gave him a “CIF Co-Coach of the Year” award for consistent coaching excellence. Sheldon was kind, caring, supportive, and compassionate. All these traits made him a great coach and mentor. “Coach Shell” was always willing to lend an ear and offer honest, life-changing advice. He was a person that always saw the best in others and was concerned about their real life situations. Youngsters shared their dreams and realities with “Coach Shell”. He often helped them believe in themselves by helping them see the best of themselves. Sheldon began his walk with Christ in 2016 when he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and joined New Found Grace Community Church of San Gabriel, California. In July of 2021, he was baptized, furthering his commitment to Christ. Sheldon was steadfast in reading the word of God’s daily and sharing what he had learned. Sheldon’s faith was unwavering. He routinely challenged family and friends to see the brighter side of things and to always trust in God. Although Sheldon suffered from health issues his faith was strong and something to be admired. He truly loved the Lord through all of life’s challenges and triumphs. On this past Christmas Eve, God called Sheldon to rest. His parents, John and June, preceded him in passing. He leaves to cherish his memory, his father Ernest Johnson, his sister - Dana Johnson, a host of relatives and dear friends including many who “Coach Shell” mentored and worked with through the years. The trust they had in him while he was coaching and their comments about how he positively influenced their lives brings us comfort.

JUST A LITTLE LETTER I just wanted to say Everything is fine And I got here ok I made it to heaven This place is really great Family came to meet me They were waiting by the gate I am young again No illness and no pain Things I could not do on earth I can now do again This place is beautiful I feel like I have come home There are waterfalls and flowers And green fields where I roam Please don’t worry about me For I am in God’s care And when the time is right I will meet you there Enjoy the life you have Cherish every single day Just wanted you to know That I got here ok Author, John F. Connor

REPAST Immediately following Campus of Second Baptist Church Fannie M. Goodwin Banquet Hall

HONORARY PALLBEARERS Danny Blakewell Jr.

Reggie Stephens

Tony Crutchfield Sr.

Dana Cruikshank

James Davis

Nicky McKeever

ENTRUSTED TO Woods Valentine Mortuary 1455 North Fair Oaks Avenue Pasadena, CA 91103

WORDS OF APPRECIATION It is with sincere gratitude that we acknowledge your prayers, words of encouragement and comfort, cards, visits, flowers, phone calls, meals and other kind gestures at this time of loss. These gestures have meant the world to us. They have comforted and strengthened us. We pray that God blesses you abundantly. Special thanks to Pastor Christopher A. Bourne and Second Baptist Church Monrovia, and to Pastor Mark Russell of New Found Grace Community Church, David Mitchell, Danny Bakewell Jr., Lois Gaston and to others, friends and family who went out of their way to assist us in the preparation of this homegoing service. You are LOVED and APPRECIATED. Ernest and Dana Johnson