Darrell Patterson

1928 - 2026

Darrell (Don) Patterson passed away peacefully after a short illness on February 16, 2026 at age 97. Don was born on October 21, 1928 in Tacoma, the fifth of six brothers. He grew up in the Manitou neighborhood of South Tacoma. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1947. Soon after graduating he went to work for Pacific NW Bell Telephone Company, where he worked as a cable splicer and later a supervisor for nearly 40 years. He married Nancy Tidd on June 25, 1949. Don and Nancy had two sons: Mark (1952) and David (1953). Don and his brothers remained close, meeting regularly throughout their lives for family occasions or card parties. In the 1960s Don and Nancy purchased a small rustic beach cabin on Puget Sound's Case Inlet and the family spent many happy weekends and summer vacations there as the kids grew up. Don also enjoyed golf and played weekly year-round with his brothers or other golf buddies. Don and Nancy liked to travel together and with friends to warm and sunny locations – Don would golf and Nancy would socialize by the pool. Don and Nancy lived together in South Tacoma, then in a condominium in Lakewood, and finally at Merrill Gardens in Tacoma. Don was the last survivor of his brothers. Nancy died on July 12, 2022 after 73 years of loving marriage. Don missed her every day. Throughout his life Don was kind, humble, funny, sometimes a little grumpy and opinionated, but always caring and loving. He is survived by Mark (m. Darce), David and by four grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. We will miss him. No memorial service has yet been planned.