Ms. Patton is originally from Kentucky and first visited Blaine County in 2002, where her family quickly agreed, “Our souls sing here!” An international educator, accomplished attorney, and award-winning youth mentor, Claudette Patton has dedicated her life to nurturing and protecting children—both in the courtroom and the classroom—while positioning them for success.
Her leadership and service have been recognized with a gubernatorial appointment to the Child Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board, as well as a state Volunteer of the Year Award for her mentorship of at-risk youth. Nationally, she was honored by the Congressional Award Foundation and the White House with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for mentoring disadvantaged youth through the Congressional Award Gold Medal program—the highest honor Congress grants to youth in the United States.
As a nonprofit board member and civic engagement leader, Claudette has worked tirelessly to “make dreams come true” for students of all ages. For recreation, she enjoys skate skiing, hiking, and competing on a curling team. A second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, she is currently teaching the art form to her 5-year-old grandson, Elias.
Claudette returned to live full-time in Hailey in 2025. She and her husband, Jim, enjoy traveling, hosting friends and family for holiday gatherings, and making special memories with their daughter, grandson, and three beloved rescue dogs.
Fun Fact: Claudette has visited 39 countries on humanitarian mission trips and has 156 nations to go!