James Patterson

Memorial Services for James Ryland Patterson will be held Monday, June 12, 2006,at 2:00 p.m at Stevenson Wilson Funeral Home. Burial of Ashes will follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Rev. Joel Wright of the First Presbyterian Church will preside. Mr. Patterson passed away due to an apparent heart attack on June 8, 2006, in Gillette, Wyoming. Jim was born July 22, 1940 in Gillette and attended schools in Gillette and graduated from Campbell County High School in 1958. He majored in music at college and went on to receive his PhD in music from Black Hills State University. Jim was taught how to play the piano by his mother and began playing in band and singing in elementary school and continued throughout college and beyond. He played the piano and sang in a trio with his sisters, Marcia and Virginia. As a child, he taught himself how to play home made instruments like the saw and bottles. Jim could play multiple instruments. The piano and banjo were his favorites and his ear for music was nearly impeccable. Music was Jim?s life and he enjoyed all kinds from Classical to Blue Grass. Music took Jim from Sacramento, California, where he taught high school band to Portland, Oregon, where he directed church choirs. He taught music in many schools and in various states. He was proud of the fact that he created several award winning marching bands in the schools where he taught. Music was his sweetest joy and he enjoyed getting together with his musical friends and having jam sessions. Jim was also an excellent dancer and taught for a time in the Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Jim loved the Big Horn Mountains and fishing. As a youth he spent time in Story, Wyoming, with his grandparents. As an adult, he fished most of the rivers and streams in the area. He eventually retired to Buffalo, Wyoming. After retiring early from failing eyesight he continued to play various instruments, did woodworking, played pinochle and cribbage. He moved back to Gillette in 2004 to be with his fianc, Nancy Shea. He loved his family and his fianc?s and especially enjoyed being a great grandfather. He is survived by his sister, Marcia Wilcox and her husband Ron from Walport, Oregon, and his fiance, Nancy Shea. Jim was preceded in death by his mother, father, and younger sister, VirginiaMemorials to Shriner?s Children Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah and condolences may be sent in Jim?s name to Stevenson Funeral Home or via the web at www.stevensonandsons.com.