Carson John Patterson

Carson John Patterson:

September 15, 1951 – February 15, 2026

The Man, The Myth, The Texan

Carson John Patterson made his grand entrance in Austin, TX, on September 15, 1951, carrying on a family name that has been causing good-natured trouble in America since the Pattersons arrived from Belfast in 1760. On February 15, 2026, Carson decided he’d told enough stories on Earth and headed up to give the angels some new material.

A Heavenly U-Turn

Carson’s life was defined by a legendary "scare" shortly after graduating from Westbury High. After a near-death experience where he literally looked down at the ER team and decided he wasn’t done yet, Carson found an unshakable Christian faith.

This led him to the American Orthodox Church as a novice monk. However, his "vow of silence" (if he ever had one) didn’t last long once he met Bonnie Baxter, the manager of a local restaurant. In a twist fit for a movie, Bonnie joined the church as a novice nun, but the two realized they were much better at being a "Mr. and Mrs." than a "Brother and Sister." They married in February 1977, trading their robes for the American Dream and 49 years of adventure.

The Planner, Draftsman & The Woodsman

At Westbury High, Carson double-majored in "Academics" and "The Social Scene," excelling at both with suspicious ease. He was a visionary of organization—a skill he primarily used to curate off-campus parties that were so creative, people are still trying to remember the details today. Having mastered the art of the high school gathering, he took his talents on the road to the University of Texas and the University of Houston to see if their libraries (and social calendars) could handle him.

Carson was a pioneer in Houston’s engineering scene, transitioning from old-school drafting at Brown & Root to becoming one of the city’s first CAD experts at Jacobs Engineering. He had an eye for detail that was only rivaled by his aim in the woods.

An avid hunter and fisherman, Carson’s home was a curated gallery of trophies—from deer and big-horn sheep to the occasional "varmint" that looked at him the wrong way. Wherever the fish were biting or the turkeys were gobbling, Bonnie was right there behind him, likely making sure he didn't fall out of the boat.

The Original Pain Warrior

Despite a car accident that ended his professional career and left him in decades of physical pain, Carson refused to be a victim. Instead, he became a Pain Warrior. He was a fierce advocate for the "human right" to pain management, working with organizations like the IASP to ensure that treatment of chronic pain was recognized as a human right. He fought so that others wouldn't have to suffer in silence, proving that while his body might have been hurting, his voice was as strong as ever.

The Favorite Uncle

To his many nieces and nephews, Carson wasn't just an uncle; he was the Chief Entertainment Officer. As soon as he walked into a room, the "boring adult talk" ended. He was famous for rolling around on the floor, frolicking with the kids, and spinning yarns that were at least 50% true and 100% hilarious.

The Final Toast

Carson is reunited with his parents, Daune and Glenn Patterson. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Bonnie; his brothers Pat, Bart and Wayne; his step-mother Georgann Patterson and a literal army of nieces, nephews, and friends who are now tasked with keeping his stories alive.

Heaven is a little louder today, a little more Texan, and a lot more joyful. If you listen closely, you can probably hear the laughter from down here.