RYE - John Stanley Thessen, Aug. 4, 1949 - Nov. 22, 2022, born in La Junta, Colo., to Dale Worden Thessen and Mary Lu (Pinkerton) Thessen. He attended public schools in Pueblo and Rye, graduating 1968 from Ludwigsburg High School, Germany. Returning stateside, John enrolled at Southern Colorado State College and ran track, sometimes with bloodied knees, pimpled with cinders. Track and field became his life-metaphor, jumping hurdles, picking himself back up. He wed love-at-first-sight Brenda Wright, 1970; they had two children, Todd and Tracie. He served four years in the Air Force. Honorably discharged, John found his groove rough-necking on wildcat oil rigs in Wyoming. He advanced quickly to become a driller, a job requiring complex rig knowledge and jargon punctuated with expletives.
His promotions within the oil industry included company man and tool pusher. His broad knowledge and experience gained him notoriety; then, John became a commodity when promoted to fisherman. His work isolated John from family and friends, traveling globally to fix any well problems down-hole on land or at sea. Heeding Aldous Huxley refrain, John knew everything about oil exploration, and something about everything. His successes—career or otherwise—were achieved the old-fashion way, hard work and determination. Upon retirement, 2001, Rye’s magnetic charm pulled John back home. John passed away following a heart attack at his home in Rye. He lived 74 years.
He is survived by two children, Todd Eric (Nicole) Thessen of Oslo, Norway and Tracie Lynnette of Glenrock, Wyo.; five grandchildren; three siblings, Dayle MacCormack of Colorado Springs, Michael Thessen (Nathelle Comeau) of Eugene, Ore., Pamela (Lee) Whiteley of Bremerton, Wash.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his parents, Dale Thessen and Mary Lu Pinkerton; brother, David Gregory Thessen; and nephew, Mathew Scott MacCormack. The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Larry Stansburry and Bob Sievert, John’s friends. Per his last wishes, John was cremated.
A memorial service is planned come spring.