Roy Lee Patterson

Roy Lee Patterson age 83 of Cambridge passed away at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital on July 2, 2018.  He was born in Superior, NE on June 18, 1935 to Orval and Lillie (Anderson) Patterson. His mother Lillie died when Roy was two years old.  Roy grew up in Hardy, Nebraska and graduated from Hardy High School in 1955.  Roy farmed with his father for several years.

On October 9, 1960, he was united in marriage to Phyliss Jackson in Superior, NE.  In 1962, the couple moved to Cambridge, where Roy was soon employed by the Frenchman-Cambridge Irrigation District.   Roy continued his employment for over 46 years, retiring as the Superintendent of the Irrigation District for 25 years.  He was the past president of the Nebraska State Irrigation Association receiving the Progress Award in 1993.  In 1995, he received the Four State Irrigation Council Headgate Award. Roy was a member of the Nebraska Water Users organization

Roy enjoyed many different eras of his life.  He was a member of the Cambridge Saddle Club and participated as a team roper.  Roy served on the Cambridge Museum Board.  He attended the Calvary Baptist Church.  Roy was a member of the Cambridge Lions Club for over 40 years receiving the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.  He belonged to the Cross Creek Golf Club and was a “charter member” of the Tri-Valley Hospital’s Pro-Am golf team called the Rest Home Rowdies.  Also, he was a member of the Cambridge Men’s golf league team the North Street Boys.  Roy, along with friends, could be seen playing golf summer mornings and winter afternoons when the temperature was above 70 degrees in a friendly game of Bingo, Bango, Bongo.  He looked forward to hunting pheasant, quail, geese, ducks, deer, and turkeys.  He enjoyed coffee at the Cambridge Senior Center with his friends and playing cards with the boys at the Plaza.  He treasured the time spent with his family and grandchildren.

Roy was awarded the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Award.  He was a commissioned Admiral in the Nebraska Navy by Governor Heineman in 2008.  He received an award from the Governor's Republican River Council for service to the Council from 1999 to 2003.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Orval and Lillie; step-mother, Rose; son, Tim; sisters, Elizabeth and husband Alan Frerichs, and Evelyn and husband Wylie Blair.

Roy is survived by his wife: Phyliss; son, Tom and wife Cathy all of Cambridge; grandchildren, Jessica Patterson and Toby Honeymann of Indianola, Mallory, Erin and Thatcher Patterson all of Cambridge, plus, great grandchildren Tinley and Brextan Honeymann; several brothers-in-law and sister-in-law and a host of friends.

Funeral Services will be held at the Calvary Baptist Church in Cambridge on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 2:00 PM with Pastor Rick Bradley and Don Sackett Officiating.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday July 10, 2018 from 10:00 AM till 6:00 PM.  The casket will not be opened at the Church.  Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery in Cambridge. Friends may leave on-line condolences at lockenour.com Memorial may be left to the Cambridge Senior Center

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roy Lee Patterson, please visit our floral store.