Donald Adam Patterson was born, June 6, 1936, in Midvale, Idaho to William Loyd Patterson and Ila Euvena Fletcher. He joined two older brothers, Kenneth Wade Patterson and Marlin Loyd Patterson. They lived on a 120-acre dry farm (no electricity). After several years of crop failure, they sold the dry farm and moved to Nampa, Idaho the summer of 1941 shortly after Don's fifth birthday. He was called Donnie from a baby up until he entered high school and then he preferred the name of Don, he felt it was more mature. Don entered 1st grade of school the fall of 1942 in the Eastside Grade School in Nampa and graduated from Nampa High School in 1954. While in high school he and another boy were selected to represent Nampa High School in the National High School Rodeo held in Kerney, Nebraska. Don competed in Brahma Bull Riding and Calf Roping; he won 3rd place in Bull Riding. From his birth he had a natural love for horses and cattle which stayed with him throughout his life. The summers would often find him at his cousin's cattle ranch in Wieser, Idaho, riding a horse working with cattle. Right after graduating, he worked at a veterinary clinic as a Vet Assistant and learned the art of treating all kinds of animals. Don also learned Cattle Artificial Insemination and worked a year or so running a breeding route. Later he extended his education by going to Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho studying Agriculture Economy. He also took classes from the University of Idaho, which included Marketing and Real Estate. While managing a cattle ranch in Gallipolis, Ohio he took classes at West Virginia University in Advanced Livestock Management. He attended Western College of Auctioneering in Billings, Montana learning that trade. Other times in his life he took courses from accredited colleges in Appraising, Accounting, Computers, Sales, and Real Estate including Appraising, Finance, Exchanges and Real Estate Principles. Don joined the Idaho Air National Guard in the spring of 1958. There were 16 to 20 new recruits being flown to Texas for basic training in a made over DC3 cargo plane. They were losing altitude because the plane was icing up. The pilots tried to make an emergency landing at a small airport some distance from their destination but came in too high and had to go around and try again. This time the plane came in to low and had to crash land. Two pilots and one guardsman died in the crash and Don was the last one out alive. He received several severe cuts and bruises and was in the hospital for several weeks, but he completed his basic training and flew home with the others of his group. In 1960, Don went to Rexburg to college where he met and married Wilma Rindlisbacher in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. To this union were born Kevin in 1961, Corrine in 1963 and Cathy in 1968. Later their marriage ended in divorce. In 1977, Don married Lorna Duncan. Lorna had three children from her previous marriage, Marla, Jerry, and Lisa. The different places where Don has lived includes Midvale, Nampa, Rexburg, Idaho; Gallipolis, Ohio; Grand Island, Nebraska; American Fork, Utah; Idaho falls, Homedale and Caldwell, Idaho. Don's life's work included: 50 plus years in the auction business, 32 of those years was with Bresher's Auto Auctions, auctioning in Salt Lake, Reno and Boise; 30 years in Chattel Appraising; had his real estate license for 15 years; and most of his life he owned horses and cattle. He conducted auctions in 16 different states and property appraisals in 10 western states. He also worked selling farm equipment and truck and trailer sales. A sideline love was owning and piloting his own airplane. He belonged to several flying clubs and co-owned several airplanes. This facilitated his moving around in his auction business. Throughout Don's life he was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in many callings. He served as the Branch President of the small branch of the Church while living in Gallipolis, Ohio. He enjoyed being of service to others. Don had a great interest in 4H clubs for the youth. He was a 4H leader and enjoyed helping young boys and girls obtain suitable livestock for their projects. He also conducted charity auctions for many churches and civic organizations at no charge. People at these auctions learned quickly that you don't scratch your nose or bat an eye at the wrong time. He made it fun and not overbearing. People enjoyed these auctions. Don was preceded in death by his father in 1998; his mother in 2005; his oldest brother Kenneth in 2017; and a stepson, Jerry in 2020. He is survived by his wife Lorna of Caldwell; brother, Marlin (Donna) of Nampa; son, Kevin (Kerrie) of Burley; daughters, Corrine (Bill) and Cathy (Wes) of Nampa, Marla of Caldwell, and Lisa (Greg) of Cascade, Idaho; 8 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 1 great great-grandchild. Don was a descendant of early pioneers on both sides of his family and as a young boy during the end of the Great Depression.
Add comment