in memoriam

expanded eulogies

“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.

Donald Patterson

Donald Lee Patterson of El Dorado died Thursday, April 12, 2018, at Lakepoint Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in El Dorado, at the age of 82.

He was born July 5, 1935, in Peabody, Kansas, the son of Lacester Devern and Dorothy Loretta (Fellingham) Patterson. He was raised in Kansas City, Missouri, and attended local schools. In 1953, Don was united in marriage to Dorothy Diane Nuttell. To this union one child was born. This marriage later ended in divorce. In 1956, Donald enlisted in the United States Army, serving during the Korean War with honor and dignity. He was honorably discharged in 1958. He worked for General Motors while going through law enforcement training.

In 1972, Donald began serving as Chief of Police for the City of Peabody. He later worked for Davis Electric in Peabody. In 1977, he began working for the City of Eureka Police Department. In 1978, he worked at the Butler County Sheriff’s Department for a short time until he was offered a position with the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Department, rising to the rank of Undersheriff under Charlie Samuels and Lowell Parker.

On July 8, 1985, Donald was united in marriage to Marilyn “Mickey” Van Buskirk in Madison. They made their home in Eureka. This marriage later ended in divorce. He retired from the sheriff’s department in 1987. With Mickey, Don worked in the hospitality industry for Motel 6 and Super 8. Don returned to law enforcement one last time with the Erie Police Department in 1989.

Don was a member of the Kansas Sheriff’s Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the National Rifle Association.

He is survived by his children, Terry Lee Patterson and wife, Karen, of Spring Hill, Florida; Chris Patterson and wife, Kelli, of Saint Joseph, Missouri; stepson, Freddie Stuber and wife, Judy, of El Dorado; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and by siblings, Betty Jo Barnhart, Denny Patterson, and Sara Lynn Patterson.

Graveside services will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at Greenwood Cemetery, in Eureka, with Pastor John Craighead of Jefferson Street Baptist Church officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the Kansas Sheriff’s Association. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 595, Eureka KS 67045, which is overseeing arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online, at koupfunerals.com.