Donald Richard Patterson was born July 11, 1957, in Roswell, New Mexico, and stepped into Heaven on November 10, 2025, at 7:11 a.m., which was fitting since he was born on 7/11/57. After a two year battle with cancer, he passed peacefully at his home in Lake Dallas, Texas, with his loving wife, Shay, and his precious daughter, Rachel, at his side.

After graduating from Roswell High School, he proudly served his country in the United States Army, completing four years on active duty and two years in the Army Reserve. He graduated with an Associate's Degree in computer networking from Collin County Community College, and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He worked for 34 years as a maintenance engineer at U.S. Foam Corporation in Lewisville, Texas, and held the same position at Acme Brick in Denton, Texas, for the last three years.

He was a man who could do almost anything and fix almost anything, had infinite hobbies and talents, and enjoyed working on whatever caught his interest. One of his more recent accomplishments was climbing trees in his yard, felling tall trees, and cutting large branches. He loved every minute of this adventure, swinging from those trees in his climbing gear and terrifying his family with his many feats of daring!

He loved his wife, Shay, adored his daughter, Rachel, and loved his extended family and friends, including his cats, both the indoor crew and the outdoor crew of ferals he fed daily.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Kay "Shay" Patterson, his daughter, Rachel Ariana ShayLlayn Patterson, both of Lake Dallas, Texas, a sister, Karen Nichols of Houston, Texas, a brother, Steven (Cherie) Patterson, of Van, Texas, and nephews Jason and Brent (Katy) Eubank, Curtis (Brianna) and Cody Patterson, and a niece Jackie (Ross) Dobelbower, his cousin, Randy Jennings, of Roswell, New Mexico, with whom he shared many adventures, as well as numerous other beloved family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John William Patterson and Wilma Lee (Newsom) Duffy.

Many thanks to our family and friends who have walked with us on this difficult path, and to all of Donnie's very caring doctors and nurses. A special thanks to Trio Home Health and Hospice who gave us a team of precious caregivers, making this difficult time more bearable with their care, compassion, and love.

He is now healthy, at peace, and reunited with his family, friends, and pets who have gone before him. We look forward to that wonderful day when we are all together again. Fly high, Donnie!

A private memorial service will be held at a later date in Fort Stanton, New Mexico, where his ashes will be interred at the Fort Stanton Veterans Cemetery.