Don Patterson

Don Patterson, 78, passed away Sunday afternoon, February 3, 2013 at Mercy Hospital, Oklahoma City.

The son of Blanche (Bragg) and George Paul Patterson, Donald Paul Patterson was born with celebration on New Year's Day, January 1, 1935 in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Don lived with his family in Duncan, Oklahoma where he graduated from high school in 1953. He then attended Oklahoma State University and graduated in 1958 with a degree in Geology. While at OSU, Don met and fell in love with that adorable, petite Art major, Claudia Rey. Don and Claudia were marred September 1, 1957 in Oklahoma City. This began the life of the Don Patterson family which included faith, fun and adventure. The Pattersons moved to Guymon in 1959 where Don worked as a geologist for Magcobar for several years. In 1965, he became associated with Farm Bureau and was the Texas County Farm Bureau agent, retiring in 2000.

Along with his profession, Don was involved in everything his three daughters were involved in, supported his church, Guymon schools, the community and all things OSU. As an active member of Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, Don was a past president of Methodist Men and was a self-appointed greeter, coffee maker and was always there to shake a visitor's hand. He was a longtime member of the Guymon Rotary Club, where he served as president, was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow, and was also a member of the Guymon Ambassadors and Jaycees.

After Don's retirement from Farm Bureau, the Pattersons enjoyed traveling, OSU Cowboy sports, visiting family and attending the grandchildren's events. Despite being diagnosed with Alzheimers, Don continued to enjoy life. Claudia's tireless and dedicated care enabled him to continue with many of the things he enjoyed. He loved to sit on the front porch, watching the neighborhood children play and waving to his many friends driving by.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, caretaker and best friend, Claudia; his three adoring daughters and their husbands, Natalie and Larry Unruh of Bryan, Texas; Tereasa Reimer of Katy, Texas and Mike Reimer of Moscow, Russia; Dianna and Tony Sikes of Edmond, Oklahoma; his Swedish daughter, Ingrid and Robert Svensson of Umea, Sweden; one sister, Sue and husband, Robert Taylor of Independence, Virginia . Don was blessed with 11 grandchildren, Amanda and husband, Jay Vanadore of Kyle, Texas; Lauren Unruh of Bryan; Brandon and wife, Greer Reimer of Richardson, Texas; Daniel and wife, Johanna Reimer of Dallas, Texas; Andrew and wife, Kelsey Snider of Stillwater, Oklahoma; Michael Snider of Edmond; Steven Snider of Stillwater; Steven and wife, Amanda Sikes of Edmond; Chris Sikes of Dallas; Jeffrey and Ethan Sikes of Edmond; Elin, Rebecka and Maria Svensson of Sweden; and one beautiful great granddaughter, Hannah Vanadore.

Memorial services will be conducted Saturday afternoon, February 9th, 1:30 P.M. at Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, 523 North Roosevelt, Guymon, with associate pastor, Rev. Tino Espinoza and former pastor, Rev. Mike Chaffin, officiating. Following the services, the family would like to invite everyone to the church Family Enrichment Center to enjoy ice cream and cookies, two of Don's favorite things!

The Patterson family would appreciate memorials in lieu of floral gifts. Don was an advocate for the entire Guymon community, including youth, sports and education and the family would love to provide a scholarship to Guymon students. These memorials may be given to the "GHS Don Patterson Memorial Scholarship" c/o Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942. Memorials may also be given to the Alzheimer's Association, 6465 South Yale Avenue, Suite 312, Tulsa, OK 74136-7804.