Duane Patton
Duane Eugene Patton, 72, was called home on April 30, 2026, in Parkersburg, WV with his wife, Debbie, holding his hand and his sons, Matt and Jeff, by his side through his final moments.
For the last 10 years, Duane battled chronic illness with incredible strength, resilience, determination, and grit. Even on the hardest days, he refused to give in. His perseverance, faith, and stubbornness to keep fighting inspired everyone who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Helen Patton; his parents-in-law, J. Fred and Ruth Dooley; his brothers, Robert Patton and William Patton; and his brother-in-law, Larry Lilly.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Debbie; his children, Matt (Melissa), JD, Lesley, and Jeff; and his grandchildren, Kenade (Chris), Raelyn, Sonja, Aaron, Cody, Logan, and Jaimee. He also leaves behind his great-grandchildren, Shyla and Yvonne. Duane is also survived by his brother, Harold (Lois) Fraizer; his sister, Theresa Lilly; his sisters-in-law, Mary Patton and Beverly Patton; along with many nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends who all meant so much to him.
Duane worked for over 30 years with PepsiCo in both Parkersburg and Mineral Wells, where he built lasting relationships throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley. He faithfully served in several churches over the years, including North Parkersburg Baptist Church, New Hope Baptist Church, and Seventh Street United Methodist Church.
In his later years, Duane dedicated a lot of his time to mentoring and serving others in both the church and through his Masonic work. He was a proud member of Parkersburg Lodge No. 169, later Mount Olivet Lodge No. 3, most recently Burning Springs Lodge No. 132. He was also an active member of Jerusalem Chapter No. 3, Calvary Commandery No. 3, Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 14, Order of DeMolay, Marietta Council No. 78, and Knights of the York Cross of Honour.
Duane loved his family deeply and showed it every single day through the way he cared for the people around him. He believed in helping others, treating people right, and giving back to his church, community, and the organizations he cared deeply about. The love he gave, the wisdom he shared, and the examples he set will remain in the hearts of all who knew him forever.
His visitation will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, from 6-8pm at Leavitt Funeral Home, 403 7th Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101 with Masonic York Rite honors observed. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, beginning at 11am, continued with his burial ceremony at Evergreen North Cemetery, 4800 Emerson Avenue, Parkersburg, WV 26104 with Masonic Blue Lodge honors observed.