Michael L. Patten, 73: Was florist for former Gov. Jimmy Carter

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By Rick Badie

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Michael L. Patten lacked a degree in floral design, but it didn't matter. A love for flowers and an eye for color, design and detail was apparent in every arrangement he touched.

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Family photo Michael L. Patten, 73, was the florist for former Gov. Jimmy Carter.

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"He had a natural ability," said Gerald Asherbranner, a friend and former business partner from Alpharetta. "Everything he did had an English-garden-type flair to it and he did beautiful floral work."

Mr. Patten, along with Mr. Asherbranner, was the florist for Jimmy Carter while he was governor of Georgia and before he ascended to the U.S. presidency. They worked out of the basement of the governor's mansion, where they kept flowers in coolers. The late Emily Dolvin of Roswell introduced the florists to the Carter family. She was the sister of the late Lillian Gordy Carter, the president's mother.

"If we got an order for certain legislative dinners or a breakfast, it would be for 125 arrangements at a time," Mr. Asherbranner said. "I didn't pay particular attention to it then, but it was an experience and an opportunity that most people didn't get."

For 11 months, Michael L. Patten of Alpharetta had been hospitalized and given less than six months to live. He died Monday from complications of Parkinson's disease at his home. He was 73. A funeral was held Thursday at Roswell Presbyterian Church. Northside Chapel Funeral Directors and Crematory handled arrangements.

Mr. Patten was born in Atlanta, but grew up in Roswell when the community was truly rural. He graduated with the Class of 1957 from Roswell High, where he sang in a quartet, and attended the Atlanta Art Institute. His mother, the late Bessie Patten, bought the Alpharetta Florist Shop on Main Street and sold it in 1984. He and Mr. Asherbranner then opened Gamps, a decorative gift shop, in the north Fulton Crabapple community. They also operated Gamps' Ltd Florist, which they closed in 2004.

After his floral years, Mr. Patten concentrated on wedding arrangements. Mike Patten Designs of Alpharetta booked jobs in states as far away as Arizona.

"He did beautiful wedding work," said Mr. Asherbranner, a family friend nearly 50 years. "He was a specialist at it."

"He did the arrangements for my wedding," said Krista Wright, a great niece from Alpharetta. "Everything he touched was beautiful, just gorgeous and made with love."

Mr. Patten enjoyed gardening and dabbling in painting.

The florist and his partner handled arrangements for Christmas parties and events hosted at the governor's mansion the entire time Carter held the office, from 1971 to 1975. They were invited to Mr. Carter's presidential inaugural, and got to attend one of the balls. After he became president, the florists arranged flowers for a reception that was held at the Roswell home of Mrs. Dolvin.

Additional survivors include a sister, Jane Patten Hughes and a brother, Tommy Patten, both of Canton.