Don died on December 21, 2011 after a long independent life. Born in Plaza, North Dakota he struck out at an early age and found work on the Fort Peck Dam in Montana and the Howe Sound Mine on Lake Chelan in Washington. In 1940 he went to work in the Puget Sound Naval Ship Yard in Bremerton and as a welder supported the war effort. After 17 years at the ship yard, he transferred to the Chief Joseph Dam in Bridgeport, Washington where he retired from government service in 1967. He was a first rate story teller and had a passion for family, dancing, travel, fishing, and NASCAR racing.
He is preceded in death by his former wife Amy E. Patten, and two sons Richard L. Patten and Dennis R. Patten. Don is survived by his son Gerald Patten and wife Bonnie of Golden, Colorado, grandsons Scott Patten of Boulder, Colorado and Eric Patten of Collierville Tennessee, and great grand daughters Ella and Isabelle Patten of Collierville Tennessee.
Services to honor Don’s long life will be held January 4, 2012 at 10:00 AM at the Pines Cemetery in the Spokane Valley.
