Dallas E Patterson's Obituary
Dallas Eugene Patterson, 71, of Johnston, Iowa, and Key West, Florida, passed away Monday, March 9, 2026, at Kendall Regional Hospital in Miami, Florida.
Dallas was born May 2, 1954, in Pensacola, Florida, to Arden “Pat” and Neoma Patterson. He was raised in Norwalk, Iowa, and later moved to Prairie City during his senior year of high school, where he played football for the Prairie City Plainsmen and proudly credited himself with helping lead the team to a winning season. He also spent many cherished summers in Orient, Iowa, while baling hay with his Grandfather, Arthur Patterson, and his cousin Phil, developing his strong work ethic.
Dallas attended the University of Northern Iowa and Drake University. He began his professional career in the insurance industry, working alongside his father in Prairie City and Mitchellville. At just 24 years old, he was elected Mayor of Mitchellville. After relocating to Johnston, he helped raise his children, Grant and Heather. He opened his own insurance agency and later served as Mayor of Johnston, continuing his lifelong commitment to public service and community. He concluded his accomplished career as President of American Abstract, retiring in 2023.
As a patient and loving dad, he enjoyed coaching Grant’s little league baseball team and traveling to California to see both Heather and Grant.
Dallas was known for his warm, friendly spirit and his remarkable ability to connect with others, often turning strangers into friends. He was kind, big-hearted, and welcoming, always making family and friends feel at home. He always felt like the luckiest guy on the island in Key West; it was his favorite place to be.
He enjoyed following the stock market, golfing with friends, boating on the Gulf of America, and staying active through swimming, walking, and daily exercise. He was also known for his sense of humor, often sharing the same jokes time and again, and for entertaining others with his renditions of Folsom Prison Blues.
Dallas is survived by his life partner, Lynne Jordan; his children, Heather Patterson Johnson (Rob) and Grant Patterson (Reggie Battle) of California; his sister, Elaine Idso, and a host of extended family members and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held May 2, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Greenbriar Restaurant. A happy hour just for him.
Memorials may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project.
What’s your fondest memory of Dallas?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dallas?
Share a story where Dallas' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dallas you’ll never forget.
How did Dallas make you smile?

