* Harry Patton; Farrier Shod Top Racehorses

Harry Holiday Patton, 76, world-class farrier who shod such major stakes-winning thoroughbreds as Jaklin Klugman. Born in Long Beach, Patton grew up helping on his grandparents’ farm with horses and helping his father weld. He worked as a machinist for McDonnell Douglas and for the U.S. Army in Italy during World War II. Combining his knowledge of horses and metal, Patton began shoeing quarter horses, hunting, jumping and dressage horses, and then specialized in thoroughbreds. For the last 14 years he had operated Patton Manufacturing, maker of horseshoes and horseshoe equipment, in Monrovia. Known for tutoring young farriers, Patton served several terms as president of the local chapter of the International Union of Journeyman Horseshoers and was twice its national vice president. Earlier this year, he was elected to the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame by fellow blacksmiths, trainers, owners and veterinarians. The honor is sponsored jointly by the American Farriers Journal and the Kentucky Derby Museum. Twelve years ago, Patton married Ada Gates, who in 1971 became the first woman ever licensed to shoe racehorses. On Friday in Pasadena of cancer.