Delmer Patterson

Delmer P. Patterson, 86, died December 5, 2008 at his Klipsan Beach, Washington residence. The son of Leonard and Louise (Kelso) Patterson, he was born in Clarkston, Washington on January 13, 1922. Delmer attended school in Toppenish and Buena, Washington. In November of 1940 he joined the U.S. Army. Serving with the 3rd Infantry Division, he participated in landings in North Africa, Sicily and, Italy. Additional service was in Holland and Germany. He was wounded and received a Purple Heart. He later joined the 101st Airborne Division and was very proud to be a "Screaming Eagle". Following his honorable discharge in 1945, Delmer became an operating engineer, working projects from Alaska to Catalina Island, California. He worked as a crane operator at Grand Coulee and John Day dams on the Columbia River and retired from Lampson Crane Services Inc. in Tri-Cities, Washington. Delmer enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his children and family. Survivors include his wife Rita of Klipsan Beach; daughter Peggy; sons Jim, Jeff and daughter-in-law Charity; grandchildren Blaine and Ashley McCubbins, Joseph Short and Salena Patterson. Also surviving is a son Teri Patterson of a previous marriage. His family will celebrate his life at a memorial service scheduled for next spring. Memorials in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society. The guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.