Michael Duane Patterson

Michael Duane Patterson passed away Feb. 20, 2021.

Mike was born in Houston, Texas to Ellis Duane Patterson and Betty Midgett Patterson on March 16, 1959.  He was the third of five children.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his youngest brother, John.

Mike graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Petroleum Land Management. He earned a law degree from OU as well and specialized in bankruptcy.

Mike was a voracious reader.  He did not read fiction, but he often discussed books about historical world events.  If you tried to challenge his world view, be prepared to land in Mike’s jury box for cross examination.  Just don't do it!

Although Mike had no children, he would have made a fine father. Once when his 3 year old niece fell head first from a kitchen bar stool to a tile floor he drove like a maniac to Norman Regional Hospital.  The bump on his niece’s head healed up nicely and although she grew up to become an Aggie, he still loved her.  All kidding aside, Mike was very proud of his four nieces and one nephew.

Mike had a passion for animals especially cats and dogs.  If he could help one, he did.  Once his mother told him there was a large snake in the front yard.  She was frightened and asked Mike to “go out and take care of it."   So Mike did.  He went outside and observed the snake for awhile, decided it was harmless and came back inside.  Not exactly what Mom had in mind, but that was her Mike.

Mike loved Sooner football.  Some years ago he suffered a heart attack after attending a football game at the OU stadium.  Maybe there were just too many Sooner turnovers to maintain composure.  Mike minimized the gravity of his heart attack but for those of us that loved him it was our first clue that Mike might not live a long life.

Mike left us a month shy of his 62nd birthday.  He had the purest of hearts and has left a huge void in ours. Godspeed Mike.