Donald Eugene Patterson

Donald passed away rather suddenly following an accident near his home. He was briefly a patient with Suncoast Hospice. Family was at his bedside at the time of his passing.

Donald was born in Decatur, Illinois. He was the son of Pauline Vivian Dunn Patterson and Russell Andrew Patterson. He grew up in Decatur and graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1966. He entered the Navy in July, 1967 so is a Vietnam War Veteran. His 20 year career centered on maintenance and repair of electronic equipment particularly that equipment utilized for meteorology. He was able to complete his A.S. degree and his B.S. degree in Computer Science while in the Navy and continued to attend school while working for the State of Illinois. Don earned five Good Conduct medals, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

His last duty station was Rota, Spain. While stationed out of Rota, he had a huge apartment in Sardinia, Italy which he loved. Throughout his time overseas, Don collected many of his Lladro figurines. During his duty at New Orleans, Louisiana, he was co-owner of a shrimp boat and would bring home many pounds of shrimp to share with the family in Illinois. Don also became a recreational diver and often took trips to the Caribbean to enjoy that hobby.

At the end of his Naval career, Don returned to Illinois and began working for the Illinois State Police Department in Information Technology. Upon his second retirement on December 31, 2002, he moved to Lutz, Florida where he still resided at Paradise Lakes at the time of his death.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Pauline and Russell Patterson; one brother, Richard Patterson; one sister, Cynthia Sue Patterson Gipson and brother-in-law James Bush. He is survived by his sisters Diana (Dennis) Gipson and Arlene Bush; brother Michael (Gloria) Patterson; several cousins; many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great-grand nieces and nephews.

Friends of Donald will be gathering at Paradise Lakes on his birthday, April 11, 2023 to remember him. Family will be having a memorial service in Springfield, Illinois with military honors at a later time. Memorials can be sent to a charity of the donor’s choice.