James Patti
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Funeral services for James Patti, 89, Lawrence will be held 10:00 am, Friday, October 20, 2017 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. Entombment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. He died October 14, 2017 at Bridge Haven Village.
He was born on July 8, 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri the son of James, Sr. and Violet (Long) Patti.
James was a shoe repairman and owned Patti Shoe with his brother in downtown Lawrence for many years. Jim was an artist and founder of the Kansas Sculpture Association. He also was responsible for the downtown outdoor art exhibit. He design the Buffalo on Clinton Parkway, co-created the bicentennial bell in the lobby of the Douglas County court house. His other pieces in Lawrence include; the sundial in Veterans Park, the plaque dedicated to Leo Berman on the corner of 8th and Massachusetts Street and a statue of Langston Hughes in the Watkins Museum. He served in the US Army during the Korean War. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
He married Celia Ann (Carson). She preceded him in death on October 24, 2014
Survivors include: two daughters; Valerie (Kenneth) Newby, Bridget Patti, one grandson; Tony Morris and two great-grandsons; Austin and Conner Morris. He was preceded in death by one sister, Patricia Peine and one brother, Charles Patti.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 19, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Alzheimer’s Association and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Jim Patti was a renaissance man. He could work with leather and clay and stone and make practical things like boots and beautiful things like bells and buffaloes. He had an unfailing kindness and gentleness about him and his spirit will live on through his visible works all over Lawrence. He and his precious wife Celia have made a difference in our town and I am grateful for having known both of them The Bicentennial Bell in the courthouse lobby represents Jim’s love of country and community. I send my thanks for his life and his legacy.
Jim Patti was a Lawrence artistic treasure! I fondly remember meeting him through the Schwegler Neighborhood Association and LAN. What a gentle and compassionate soul he was. I’m so thankful that his wonderful sculptures will live on in his memory throughout Lawrence.
Some of my earliest and best memories as a kid, are of Jim fitting and maintaining shoe arches for my high week arches and, along with his brother, repairing our shoes. Then he and my father, Elden, became more and more involved in various sculpture projects. His caring for others came through, time and again. Once he taught a couple of sessions to a bunch of kids from our home school co-op, where they all had a great time learning to model clay figurines. His sense of humor seamed to come through in most everything he did. His sculpture “Sole Man” which greeted you in his shop and created of old shoe soles, always gave me a smile. So Jim and Celia will always have a significant place in our hearts.
Our prayers are with you, Valerie and Bridget and family.
Val, Bridget: I was very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. He and your mom were both very special people, and hold a special place in my heart. Jim always had a positive, joyful outlook on life, and a contagious enthusiasm for everything he did. He and your mom left their mark on Lawrence, and made it a better place for all of us. The downtown sculpture program will honor Jim’s memory for generations to come, and adds a richness to our city that should make you very proud. Although this is a time of great sadness, I hope you are both doing well. With best wishes for your peace and happiness, and fond memories of your parents, Steve
My family did not know, personally, this gentleman, but we mourn his passing. Grateful for the sculptures he left behind. It adds a richness to his work to learn a bit more about him.
To James Patti’s family, sorry for your loss.
Dear Valerie and Bridget, I am sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. In Bridge Haven, in August 2014, I had the pleasure of hearing his stories about his working with his brother at his shoe repair store. He was a pleasure to chat with. At the time my mother was living at Bridge Haven, as well. My condolences for your family.