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Douglas Lee Patten, 82, died peacefully on March 25, 2026, in Omaha, Neb., after a long battle with IBM (Inclusion Body Myositis).
Doug grew up on the family farm in Alta before graduating from Buena Vista College in 1967, and joining the United States Air Force. Before he started his military career, he married Virginia May Jepson at the First Christian Church in Moorehead. They were blessed with two daughters, Kelly and Heather.
Doug received his commission through Officer Training School in June 1967. He graduated from Undergraduate Pilot Training at Webb AFB, Texas, in July 1968 and was assigned to Laughlin AFB, TX in the Deputy Commander for Operations Division.
In October 1969, he completed training for duty with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and was assigned to Detachment 1501 at Minot AFB, North Dakota. After only nine months, he was transferred to AFOSI District 46 at Fuchu Air Station and Yokota Air Base, Japan. While in Japan, Doug was Chief of the Headquarters Investigation Unit and later Chief of the District Criminal Investigation Division. In 1971, he was a member of the winning team in the AFOSI Worldwide Pistol Match. He placed fourth in the individual competition. In July 1975, he was assigned to HQ AFOSI in Washington, D.C. He served as a case reviewer in the Criminal Directorate until February 1975, when he was assigned to the USAF Special Investigations Academy as an instructor. In 1977, he became the Senior Staff Instructor and in 1978, assumed the duties of Chief, Instructional Division. He departed Washington, D.C., in June 1979 for Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.
In September 1981, Doug departed Ellsworth AFB to become the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing Chief of Security Police at Kunsan, AB, Republic of Korea. He returned to AFOSI in October 1982 assigned to Plans Division. During that assignment, he also served an extended TDY as a senior Air Force Special Investigations and Counterintelligence Officer in Honduras. In January 1986, Doug became the AFOSI Command Representative to Headquarter Military Airlift Command and Air Force Communications Command where he remained until June 1992, when he was assigned Vice Commander 3d Field Investigations Region. He retired from the Air Force in August 1993.
In his retirement, he worked for the Department of Children and Family Services in Metropolis, Ill., Pinkerton Securities in Hong Kong and Hungtington, W.Va., and for Homeland Security as a consultant; an opportunity that took him all over the world.
Family and friends were very important to Doug and he loved nothing more than talking about his grandsons, hosting “happy hour” gatherings in his home, telling stories and showing off his Christmas village.
Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Kelly (Shawn) of Lake Tapps, Wash.; and Heather of Omaha, Neb.; grandchildren: Gavin and Elliott of Lake Tapps, Wash.; and Michael and Keegan of Omaha, Neb.; brother-in-law Bruce (Marilyn) Jepson; extended family and a plethora of friends. His sister, Ruth Hoferman passed away April 6.
Doug was preceded in death by his wife Virginia Patten; parents, James Allen and Florence Patten; parents-in-law, Howard and May Jepson; brothers: Kenny Patten, Tom Patten and Neil Patten; brothers-in-law: Clinton Hoferman, Sam Jepson and Don Thompson; sisters-in-law: Joyce Patten, Patricia Patten, Darlene Patten and Jeanine Thompson.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, June 24, at 11 a.m. at Presbyterian Church of the Cross, 1517 S. 114th St., Omaha, NE 68144.Graveside service will be Wednesday, June 24, at 3 p.m. in Ingemann Cemetery, Moorhead.Memorials can be directed to Presbyterian Church of the Cross in Omaha, Neb., or The Gary Sinese Foundation.
Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel (7805 W. Center Road) in Omaha, Neb., is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.heafeyheafey.com.
