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Ronald D. Patton
Class of 1951 - Inducted 2014
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Ron was inducted into the SHSAA Packer Sports Greats (Contributor Award) in 2014.
Ronald D. Patton enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War in 1952 and spent the next three years on the destroyer USS Herbert J. Thomas DDR 833. He was a radar man in CIC and also served as an instructor. He received the following medals during his service: Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Service, United Nations Service, National Defense Service, Good Conduct and China Service. Following his tour of duty, he attended Omaha University, graduating with a degree in Business Administration in three years while holding down three jobs. After 22 years as a Regional Sales Manager for Lyon Metal Products, he opened Patton Equipment Co. in 1982 which is located at 7530 F Street. During the company’s operation over more than 30 years, Ron employed a number of young men from South Omaha. He created an Employee Education Program and strongly urged each one of them to further their education. He also offered flex hours to accommodate school schedules. Even today, three quarters of Patton’s employees are from South Omaha. He very generously contributed to every South Omaha cause including American Legion, Boys & Girls Clubs, G.I. Forum Scholarship Outing, Latino Police Association and Packer Baseball. He received a VIP donor award from the Ritonya, Buscher, Poehling Memorial Classic Scholarship Fund. Ron contributed to a number of other causes, but South Omaha was dearest to his heart. He was a member of the Omaha SHSAA, the National Association of Destroyer Veterans (Tin Can Sailors), American Legion, South Omaha Eagles, Old Timer’s Baseball Association and was a Lifetime member of the G.I. Forum. Ron passed away May 2014 at the age of 79. His family accepted on his behalf. |