Happy Wedding Day! March 26, 1976. Married Betty Jean ❤️

I met Donald when I was neighbor to his daughter Terri in Williamsburg. He was always so always kind and had such a sweet soul! He will be truly missed by his loved ones but remembered always by his caring and big heart!! 

Uncle Don was the most amazing, caring, loving and giving person. Many times during my late teen yrs I would stop by the station or the house for advice or someone to listen to my problems. He never judged- just loved- Always. I know my mama could not have asked for a better brother. He always called several times a week and stopped by frequently when his "driver" brought him to visit. We will cherish and miss those visits so very much..he loved his sister dearly and she loved him back  just as much! We will both miss the joy, laughter and many stories he used to tell. We know we will see each other again..we love ya Brother/Uncle Don and will miss ya every day!

First, my thoughts & prayers are with the family of Captain Donald Patterson (Capt Pat)

Captain Pat as we all knew him within the Norfolk Fire Department (NFD) family seem to never have a worry in life. He always had a big smile on his face. It was enjoyable knowing him......He will be missed



First, my thoughts & prayers are with you.  

Capt. Pat was like another dad for my brother Davy “Pizza” Laughlin.  Davy talked about him often.  Lucky for me, Davy introduced us when I was just a young kid. Knowing that I loved to fish, Capt Pat told me about the lake he lived on.  I spent many summers days fishing the Larkspur Lakes in Va Beach after that.  I remember Capt Pat walking over and checking out our catch.  Thanks, for the fishing advice Capt. Pat.  Give Davy a hug for me.

From the Norfolk Fire Retirees Association - 
Born May 17, 1938 in Lynchburg, Donald  was raised in the mountains of Virginia by the late Harry E. and Nora Alice Patterson.  A young polio survivor, Capt. Patterson lost his father 3 days before Christmas to a heart attack when Capt. Pat was 13 years old.  This necessitated a relocation to Norfolk since his mother had family here that could help her raise their 3 children – not an easy childhood.  A Granby High graduate and a Marine Corps Reserve veteran, Capt. Patterson was hired by Norfolk Fire May 1, 1958 and he served the citizens of the City of Norfolk faithfully until his retirement 39 years later in 1997.  Capt. Patterson’s service to the City of Norfolk truly was a family affair.  His wife Betty was a Norfolk dispatcher; his brother Harry “Pat” Patterson retired as an electrician for the City; his nieces Julie Wood and Suzanne Patterson served as a Public Safety dispatchers and his nephew Steve Patterson is a supervisor for the City garage.  A kind and generous man, Capt. Patterson was looked up to by everyone who worked with him.  A good fire ground commander and a good leader he was a pleasure to work with.  More than one firefighter and many citizens owe their lives to Capt. Patterson’s fireground expertise.  Although not a practical joker, he enjoyed a laugh as much as anyone.  He met and married Betty, a dispatcher at Station 1, and she brought with her 5 children that he loved dearly.  He enjoyed the outdoors and often took them hunting, fishing, walking in the woods and on frequent trips to the mountains.  He will be missed by many.

DONALD, WAS A LOVING CARING MAN. REALLY ENJOYED SPENDING TIME TIME WITH HIM, WHEN HE CAME TO WALK 
ROCKY, HID DAUGHTER'S DOG. HE WAS A VERY SPECIAL PERSON

What a great guy! I only knew him the last couple years but anyone who met him could feel the kindness and caring he had for others. Even with the struggle of alzheimer's and fading memory, "BOY " he could tell great stories. Stories about the BIG buck deer teasing his dog Chief, getting Cheif to chase him around the farm knowing that Chief would never catch him. Donald had such a animated way of telling stories it never got old listening to any of the many stories of firefights, hunting, fishing.  And oh boy he loved his family. He was certainly the kind of guy that makes the world a better place. John

Donald was a kind and generous step dad to my wife and her entire extended family. 
He lived an exemplary life and will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. 

Donald was such a kind and generous person. Always smiling and ready to listen. He had a way to make you feel better after chatting with him. I loved  his expression “Yes. indeed!”


OBITUARY

Donald Raye Patterson

17 May, 1938 – 24 April, 2023

Nelsen Williamsburg

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