Colorful Louisiana jeweler dies
April 23, 2008

St. Petersburg, Fla.—Known for his unusual marketing techniques and unique sense of humor, Pattons Fine Jewelry CEO Ken Patton of Louisiana died on April 11 in St. Petersburg, Fla., after a brief illness.

Patton founded Dixie Water Conditioners in Lafayette, La.; then followed his father into the family retail jewelry and watch business, expanding the store into eight operations in four locales.

Some of his distinctive sales methods include spotlighting colored diamonds before they were popular, creating a display of the world’s largest uncut diamond guarded by a rattlesnake from the Alexandria Zoo, and adding tarantulas to the loose-diamond cases.

Retailers quickly followed his lead, including giving away roses, champagne, wine and candy with purchases.

Patton also co-wrote through Tony Denicola one of the first retail jewelry software programs, similar to fountain as a point-of-sale software program used by Pattons for 20 years.

Ken enjoyed retirement with family and friends in St. Petersburg. His hobbies included boating, growing orchids and traveling in a large motor domestic.

Pattons Fine Jewelry continues to serve the Alexandria and Baton Rouge areas of Lousiana with the third and fourth generation of Pattons.

Patton’s wife of 54 years, Sandra Turrentine Patton, survives him.