Donald Ross Patterson

Services for Donald Ross Patterson, 78, of Tyler, will be held on Monday, October 16, 2017, at 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church of Tyler with Rev. Pike Wisner and Rev. Chris Legg officiating. Burial will follow at Overton Cemetery in Overton under the direction Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. Patterson passed away October 10, 2017, at his home, after a long journey with Parkinson's and Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA). He was born September 9, 1939, in Overton to Sam and Marguerite Robinson Patterson. Growing up in a Gulf oil camp, he was involved in Boy Scouts, earning Eagle Scout and induction into the Order of the Arrow. He was always an avid reader. High School saw him serve as Band Captain, receive the Courteous Award, and perform in the junior and senior plays. At the age of 14, he obtained his driver’s license. Don’s hobbies have included stamp collecting, photography, fountain pen collecting, watch collecting, model railroading, and traveling. While in college he worked summers in the East Texas oil fields. Graduating from Texas Tech (BS Mathematics), University of Texas Law School (JD), and SMU Law School (LLM). He also taught part-time at several colleges. Serving in the US Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGC), he was stationed largely in the “desert Navy” with duty stations in Litchfield Park, Arizona; Bakersfield, California; and Morocco, as well as other locations, including the Philippines. His naval career included serving as the acting officer in charge of Naval Petroleum Reserve oil field near Tupman, California. After retiring from the Navy, he returned to East Texas and began a general law practice in Tyler and then transitioned to a focus on immigration law, becoming Board Certified in Immigration Law. The highlight of his career was arguing a case before the United States Supreme Court in 1997 [which was 1 of the 100-120 cases chosen (out of the 7000 applications for cases to be heard that year)]. Don is survived by his wife of 52 years, Peggy Schulte Patterson, two sons, Ross Patterson and Jerome Patterson, and a daughter, Gretchen Patterson Lees, as well as 8 grandchildren; brother, W. Wayne Patterson. He has been involved in various churches and chapels around the world. He served on chapel boards, taught Sunday School classes throughout the years, was involved in the International Ministry at FBC Tyler, attended FBC South Campus and was a charter member of South Spring Baptist Church. Other organizations and memberships have included coaching soccer, YMCA Indian Princesses, Masons, Toastmasters, South Tyler Rotary (President/Harris Fellow), Smith County Bar, State Bar of Texas, Bar College, and American Immigration Lawyers Association. Pallbearers will be John Breedlove, Jerry Cole, Alan Gardner, Sam Kennedy, Andrew Lake, David Lake, Kurt Massing, Mike Piercy, and Sharon Whitman. Visitation is scheduled from 2:00 - 4:00 PM on Sunday, October 15, 2017, at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7225 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. If desired, memorials may be made to the Boy Scouts of America.

Donald Ross Patterson

September 9, 1939 - October 10, 2017