John “Ozzy” Thomas Patton

July 11th, 1965 - August 5th, 2026

John “Ozzy” Thomas Patton packed a lot of volume into 61 years. Born on July 11, 1965, in Framingham, Massachusetts, to Dianne and Willard Jr., and the second of four, Ozzy brought his signature energy everywhere he went until he passed away peacefully on August 5, 2026, with his son by his side after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

In 1980, the family traded New England winters for Albuquerque sunshine. Ozzy spent his early twenties as a proud welder before focusing his career as a general contractor, eventually being the owner and operator of “The General.” In 2015, he traded the job site for the water, heading up to Navajo Lake where he lived the dream as a camp host, volunteered for the Friends of Navajo Lake, worked at the Sportsman, and played personal chauffeur as a shuttle driver for local fishermen. If he wasn't casting a line fishing or enjoying the outdoors, you could guarantee he was blasting heavy metal—Pantera, Ozzy Osbourne, and a heavy dose of Slayer —cheering on the Red Sox, Bruins, and Broncos, or cooking up something good for anyone lucky enough to be around.

Ozzy had a razor-sharp wit, an unapologetically big heart, and an uncanny knack for leaving an unforgettable mark on every single person he met. Preceded in death by his parents, Willard Jr. and Dianne, Ozzy leaves behind many family members spanning multiple generations. He is survived by his son, Anthony; Lynne and Brandon (Fatima), who have always been considered family. He is also survived by his brothers, Willard III (Catherine) and Robert (Jackie); his sister, Mary; and a huge cheering section of nieces and nephews: Christopher (Reanna), Bryon, Corey (Megan), Dustin, Emily (Brandon), Leanne (Joseph), and Raymond. Beyond his immediate family, he leaves behind a wide circle of close friends who will keep his memory alive with a smile and a raised middle-finger rather than a tear.

***A Celebration of Life—complete with the good stories, maybe some poker, loud music (...put that in your ear hole), and food Ozzy would have loved—will be held on Saturday, Sept 26, 2026 from 12 - 4pm, at the Patton Family Residence in Albuquerque and up north at Navajo Lake on Sunday, Sept 27, 2026 from 12 - 2p at The Sportsman Bar & Grill at 1810 NM-173, Navajo Dam, NM 87419. True to form, he would have preferred a proper gathering of friends rather than a stuffy formal affair.***

In lieu of traditional flowers, anyone wanting to help out with his estate transition and the Albuquerque gathering can contribute directly to the family, or make a donation in his honor to the New Mexico Wildlife Foundation.

As we say goodbye to a remarkable father, brother, uncle, mentor, and friend, we take comfort in the laughter, lessons, and enduring love he leaves behind. As Ozzy would say “Carry on making memories, that’s all for now. Life is good.”

For further information on the Celebration of Life, please feel free to reach out to his son, Anthony.