Bruce Patterson

The earthly world lost a wonderful human on April 21, 2022 when Bruce Patterson died at Swedish Medical Center. Bruce was born July 7, 1951 in Sheridan WY to William James Patterson and Edna Patricia (Sampson) Patterson. He grew up running his own paper route, treating himself to angel food cake for a nickel after getting his papers delivered from time to time. Eventually he saved up for a red supercub-Honda 55CC, which he bought brand new out of the crate. Starting in high school he worked at the local gas station and later with his brother Bill at the bowling alley. He was also a dedicated Elks member with his dad, and they would place US flags at the grave of every service member each Memorial Day.

Bruce attended the University of Wyoming, and graduated 1975 with a degree in petroleum engineering. He thrived in the oil and gas field and left a definite legacy from the San Juan Basin of New Mexico to the board rooms of Houston. Through his mastery of spreadsheets, kindness to colleagues, and general wizardry of the rig setup and operations process, Bruce drilled over 4,000 wells over the course of an extremely successful 45-year career in oil and gas.

For all who knew Bruce, the proudest part of his life was always his family. He was always so proud of anything his family did, and would definitely let his friends know about his wife’s, kids’, or grandkids’ latest accomplishments. He leaves behind his wife Julie Johnson (married 1978), children Christopher Michael (Stephanie Schiff), Crystal Anne (Steven Foster), and Nicholas James, grandchildren Korben (21), Phoebe (18), Trenton (13), Iris (9), and Talise (6), and many extended family and friends. He is also survived by older sister Deanna Archibald and older brother Ron Patterson, and is preceded in death by brother Bill Patterson.

The family is comforted in the faith that Bruce is currently relaxing with a Starbucks latte (9 sugars and four pumps of vanilla please), with a furry friend nearby, listening to Rush Limbaugh out in the garage with his beloved Harley nearby.