Thomas C. Paton, 79: Former Blue Shield CEO
Thomas C. Paton, 79, former longtime chief executive of Blue Shield of California, one of the nation’s largest health-care financing organizations, died of undisclosed causes Aug. 6 in Burlingame, Calif.
Paton had been a fixture at Blue Shield of California since joining the organization as chief executive in 1966 after five years in the same position with Minnesota Blue Shield. He retired in 1991 after nearly 45 years in health insurance but continued as chairman of Blue Shield of California’s board.
Born in Lansing, Mich., in 1923, Paton attended Michigan State University. He served as an Army infantry officer in World War II and the Korean War.
Paton was a director and past chairman of the board of the California State Chamber of Commerce and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. He also was a former board chairman of the Federal Employees’ Program and a former board member of the Assn. of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
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