Gregory James Patterson

Gregory James Patteson departed this life on April 8, 2026, at the age of 75. Born on February 27, 1951, in Houston, Texas, to James Edward and Anna Patterson, Gregory was the second of three children.

During his school years, Gregory attended schools in the 5th Ward community and was a proud alumnus of Phillis Wheatley High School, class of 1970. It was there that he met the love of his life, Martha Caston Patterson, and the two married at a young age. Their marriage endured for more than 56 years until Gregory’s death. Gregory will be remembered as a great husband and father, and three children were born to this union.

Gregory was preceded in death by his parents James Edward & Anna Patterson and his daughter Jessica Destiny Ann Patterson.

Gregory survived by his wife Martha Magdalene Patterson; daughter, Erica Annalena Deer (Demeko); son, Gregory Edward Sims Patterson (Taylor-Son Keilyn Aldridge); expecting 1st grandchild. Gregory is also survived by his brother, Craig Baxter; his sister, Paulette Patterson Key (Wendell); and a host of nieces and nephews. Gregory also leaves behind a man’s best friend (Kazee).

Gregory aka Icky will always be great and a handsome man, with an elegant soul. Whose steady presence brought comfort, laughter, and warmth to all who knew him.

He devoted his life to honest work, serving as a Mechanic, Master Electrician and Apprenticeship Instructor at Metropolitan Transit Authority, where his love for buses was unmistakable. To him, buses were more than machines–they were a living rhythm of the city, and he took pride in keeping them moving. He shared his gifts generously, shaping not only systems and structures, but the hands and hearts of those who learned from him.

Gregory carried a lifelong curiosity, always tinkering with anything mechanically that caught his eye. He also found quiet expression in drawing, bringing form to the world as he saw it as well as his love for schematics. Jazz was the genre of music he loved, Icky was a smooth dancer with a gentle, calm spirit, he moved through life with ease. He found joy in the simplest moments – sitting on the porch with family, watching Star Trek, Star Wars, Twilight Zone, Outer Limits and resting the quiet rhythm of everyday life. He was a natural swimmer who loved the water that seemed most at peace when life felt easy, and bright. He lived filling days and nights with warmth, depth, and freedom.

Private services will be held for the family. Please leave condolences and memories below.