Joel Patrick Batts
Age 76
Joel Patrick “Pat” Batts, 76, Rio Rancho, NM
1/20/48-8/13/24
On 8/13/24, Pat lost his multi-year battle with dementia.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Hazel and Harrison Batts, his late wife Karen Beth Batts, and brothers Sam “Skeet” Batts & Sam “Sammy” Batts. He is survived by his siblings Lucia Batts-Cutcher & Don Batts, his children Brian Batts, Michael Batts, Bryan Batts, Lindsay Batts; their spouses Heather, Aimee, and Kara, and grandchildren Banyan, Penelope, Preston, Christian “CJ”, and Gabby. The latter two he adopted and raised as his own.
Pat found himself as the role of “father” several times in life. Over the course of 5 decades, he opened his home and heart to make sure the kids in his family had a stable place to grow up. He did his best to create a safe and nurturing home, even when he wasn’t always afforded the same opportunity during his own childhood.
Pat was an avid gardener and wood worker. He spent years planning and crafting his yard and gardens. He would often be found outside wandering the yard making observations and mental notes of his garden’s progress. He would get excited about what had yet to blossom in the coming seasons, and what he would plant for the years to come. His woodshop also gave him a space where he would plan and craft many beautiful pieces over the years.
Professionally, Pat was an advocate and lobbyist for farmers and ranchers across America, via the Farm Bureau. He held several positions within the organization at both the state and national levels. He was very proud of the work he did over a long career. He was praised by his peers as a “Terrific leader and mentor…(that) inspired and encouraged an entire generation of Farm Bureau professional staff to be better advocates…He was passionate and committed.”
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