Clifton Mayor Jim Chesley remembers during one of the car shows he attended that he went to an antique store and found a sign that said "Farm Use Only." He went back to the show and put it on Ed Patton’s ‘55 Chevy as a practical joke. The next thing he knew, the sign was on Chesley's car.
"That was the kind of guy Ed was — he had a great sense of humor," Chesley said.
The Custom Cruisers Car Club will be holding its fifth annual Cruisin' Clifton Car Show in honor of former club president Edward M. Patton, 69, of Leesburg who recently died of cancer. The car show will take place on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Town of Clifton. The event is free for all ages and all proceeds go to charity.
Patton is survived by his wife Barbara and his six children: David, Donnie, Diana, Billy, Karen, and Joey.
Patton worked at Dulles Airport as a ramp controller. It was only after retirement approximately four years ago that he got a job with Yellow Transportation driving a bus from Leesburg to the District.
Patton an avid car fan who always wanted a classic car, according to his wife. In October of 1993, Ed got his wish; he and Barbara drove to Dansville, Va., and bought a 1955 Chevy for $5,000.
"He was so happy [when we bought the car]," said Barbara who lives in Bluemont. "He had a smile on him that ran from ear to ear."
Not long afterwards, Patton had the interior refurbished and a new chrome engine installed. He always kept his pride and joy garaged.
"On the weekends I can remember, when he wasn't working he would be in the garage cleaning and polishing the car — even if it wasn't dirty," Barbara said.
Patton, a family man, hardly ever let his wife drive the car — a daunting task for an ever-careful Patton. "He would let [the children] also drive it on occasion, and only on occasion," Barbara said. He wanted people to drive it like he would — with respect." Patton also named his car ‘Miss. B’ after his wife Barbara.
Chesley, a member of the Custom Cruisers, recalls looking to Patton as an older brother, since it was Patton who first interested him in the group.
"I was impressed with their cars, I was impressed with their knowledge, and I was impressed by Ed and the way he treated people," Chesley said.
"He was well liked among the cruisers," said Barbara. "They were always giving him a hard time."
"The Custom Cruisers meant everything to Eddie," his wife said. "He like the camaraderie, and he liked the idea of helping other people."