In Memory of Edward J. Patterson, Jr.

Edward J. Patterson, Jr., 84, died on April 19, 2020.

In 1957 Ed began his career with Royston, Rayzor, Vickery, & Williams, LLP as an associate in our Galveston office. In 1964 he joined the partnership of the firm and served as the managing partner of the Galveston office until his retirement from the partnership in 1994. At that time, he began to work for the firm in an Of Counsel capacity and remained active for many years working as a mediator..

Early in his career, Ed recalled representing Placid Oil Company in a significant collision case between the SS WILLAPOOL, a Russian ship, and an offshore drilling rig owned by the Placid.:

            “…Patterson thought that someone must have been on the water that night and had seen the rig… Following his hunch, Patterson checked into a modest motel in Houma, Louisiana and spent several days visiting bars and buying beer for local fishermen until he found his man. The fisherman had not only seen the rig but had tied up to it about an hour before the collision. His deposition stating that the rig was well lighted and that the fog horn was sounding was the turning point in the trial. A three-month trial in Beaumont resulted in a complete victory for Placid.”    Shill, Kay. Ship and Shore. Houston: p61.

We all benefited from Ed’s knowledge and experience and while we mourn his death, we also celebrate his life. He is survived by his spouse of 59 years Connie Russo Patterson, his son Eddie and his wife Dianna of Houston and his son Chris and his wife Sonya of the Woodlands and six grandchildren, Ted, John, Blake, Kate, Carter and Sloan Patterson. Ed is also survived by his brother, Stephen of Delray Beach, Florida; his brother Tom and his wife Alpha of Corpus Christi; and his sister Priscilla and her husband Joe of Staten Island, New York and many loving nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.