McMinnville resident and native Donald Rhea Patterson, 89, was born March 5, 1935 and died Dec. 20, 2024 at his residence following an extended illness. A veteran of the United States Army and TN Army National Guard, retired employee of Carrier and member of Grace Tabernacle Baptist Church, he was the son of the late Herbert Bethel and Alma Elizabeth Johnson Patterson. Mr. Patterson was married May 26, 1956 to Ruth Lee Jones Patterson who preceded him in death on Aug. 8, 2024. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by brother, James Thomas Patterson.