Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to many, Patrick Neal Upton, 75, passed Wednesday, July 27, 2016, with his family around him.
Known for his music and his love of family, friends and community, Mr. Upton is survived by his wife Donna Lynn Upton, three daughters, Danielle Nichols, Jenifer Bearden (Charles) and Nicki Hill (Josh), and his son, Patrick Upton Jr., two sisters, Karen Monroe (Johnny) and Susan Galloway (Ricky), one brother Mike Upton (Elaine); grandchildren Jacqueline and Natalie Nichols, Maddie and Cal Bearden, Cooper and Mia Hill, and several nieces and nephews.
Born and raised in Geraldine, Alabama, Upton made music his career from an early age and is best known for the Spiral Starecase hit “More Today Than Yesterday,” which was No. 12 on the Billboard chart in 1970. He performed most recently with the “Thirty Years of Rock ‘n Roll” tour and frequently sang at fundraisers for local charities and events. He also toured and recorded with his good friend, Ricky Nelson.
He loved golf and was a daily player in the golf group at Gunters Landing.
Upton served in the U.S. Air Force in the mid-1960s and was stationed in California.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Elva Upton, and a brother, Don Upton (Edna).
A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held at Geraldine First Baptist Church, Highway 227, Geraldine, at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts
be made to the Alabama Sheriff’s Youth Ranch Association, Wounded Warrior or any local charity for underprivileged children.
