Donald Louis Packer

With heavy hearts and a profound sense of gratitude for a life well-lived, we announce the passing of Donald Packer on March 14, 2026. Born on July 11, 1938, in Hockingport, Athens County, OH, Don left this world peacefully, surrounded by and embraced in the love of his family.

Don was the son of Harold C. Packer and June (Gregory) Packer; it was their sense of family and community that shaped him into the man who would touch so many lives. His life was a testament to dedication, integrity, and love—a legacy that will be carried on by those he leaves behind.

Don shared his life with his dear wife, Patricia (Hackathorne) Packer, in marriage for 68 years. Their unwavering companionship and love stood as a beacon of strength and fidelity. Together, they built a nurturing home filled with warmth and love.

Don is survived by his brother, Ronald Packer, whose bond with Don was one of kinship and shared memories. He is also survived by his devoted daughter, Lori (Packer) Godfrey, and her husband, Shawn Godfrey, whose ongoing role in his life brought him joy. His grandsons, Donhnall Godfrey, along with his wife, Elizabeth (Wallace) Godfrey, and Erin Godfrey, along with his partner Bianca Lee, were sources of pride for Don. He watched his grandsons grow into adulthood and become loving adults and respected members of their communities. His ability to be a part of their lives and share his love with them brought him heartfelt happiness. His legacy continues to flourish through his great-grandchildren, Finnegan and Edalyn Godfrey. Their youthful spirits were a joy to his heart. 

A man of service, Don honorably served in the U.S. Army as an Armor Crewman from 1961 to 1963 and continued his commitment to his country with the Army Reserve until 1967. His professional life was spent at Corning Glass in Parkersburg, where he contributed to the Quality Control Department until his retirement in 1994. His colleagues remember him as a dedicated and diligent worker with unmatched attention to detail.

Don was a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, where his faith was a cornerstone of his life. He was also a proud member of the Masons and the American Legion, where he formed lasting friendships and provided service to the community.

In his leisure time, Don was an avid outdoorsman with a deep appreciation for nature’s beauty. His creative spirit flourished through carving and sketching nature scenes. He also enjoyed studying the history of our region and an occasional round of golf, but his greatest pastime was the time spent with his family, each moment creating memories that will be cherished forever.

Though quiet and soft-spoken, Don possessed a unique ability to enrich every conversation with his insights, warmth, and humor. Those who knew him will forever remember his gentle spirit and the joy he brought to their lives.

A public viewing will occur Friday, March 27th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home located at 3005 Grand Central Ave in Vienna, WV. In respecting Don’s wishes, a private interment will be held at a later time.

The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Don’s memory to St. Joseph’s Indian School, an apostolate of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, via this link: https://give.stjo.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2840&mfc_pref=T&2840 .donation=form1

Don’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate ICU staff at Camden Clark Medical Center for their loving care and kindness, ensuring Don’s comfort during his final days.

May the memory of Donald Packer live on in the hearts of all who knew him, a testament to a life filled with love, dedication, and quiet strength.