Donald Joe Patton passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. The American Legion will perform graveside services at the Holbrook Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20. At 2 p.m. on Saturday, his family and friends will celebrate his life at a service at the Holbrook Elks Lodge.
He was born in McNary on July 17, 1925.
Donald served his country from 1943 to 1946 in the U.S. Navy as part of the World War II Underwater Demolition Team, an elite special purpose force. His team participated in the Okinawa and Iwo Jima battles.
Following his honorable discharge, Donald worked 13 years as a mechanic for the potash mines in Carlsbad, N.M. From there, he spent three years as a welder in the San Francisco Naval Shipyard.
He settled in the Holbrook area in 1971 to operate his own business, Patton & Sons, located at the south end of the Petrified Forest.
Donald was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks for 66 years, and served in various officer positions, including Exalted Ruler from 1986-88 and various state offices.
He was a pilot, and volunteered for the New Mexico Search and Rescue while residing in New Mexico. He was also an avid motorcyclist and made many friends at local biker events.
Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Edna May; his son Donald Patton Jr., his daughter Jeannette Wistrom and her husband Tim, his daughter Sharon Woods and her husband Henry, his daughter Janice Moen and her husband Keith, his son Kenneth Patton and his daughter Wanda Patton; 17 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Maudie Treadway.
Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to the Holbrook Elks Lodge, 714 Elkdom Ave., Holbrook, Ariz. 86025.
