John "JB" Roden Jr.

John B. Roden Jr., "JB," 90, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2026 in Thermopolis, Wyo., surrounded by his loving family, leaving behind a remarkable legacy built on hard work, determination, leadership, and devotion to the people he loved. JB was a respected oilfield icon, businessman, rancher, mentor, and friend whose life reflected the grit, resilience, and spirit of the American West.  

Born on August 9, 1935 in Craig, Colo., to John B Sr. and Brownie Belle (French) Roden, JB was raised in the oilfields from the very beginning. His father worked as a driller for Noble Drilling Company at Wilson Creek near Craig, Colo., where JB's lifelong connection to the oil and gas industry first began. As a young boy, he lived with his family in a small trailer house alongside the creek in the Wilson Creek field before moving from oilfield to oilfield throughout Wyoming, Colorado, California, and Alberta, Canada. Those early years shaped the man JB would become - hardworking, resourceful, independent, and deeply proud of the oilfield way of life.  

JB often said he was raised an "oilfield brat," learning firsthand the sacrifices and rewards that came with the drilling business. His father later founded Roden Drilling Company in Casper, Wyo., in 1950, operating rigs throughout Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado until his passing in 1977. 

During his years at Thermopolis High School, JB distinguished himself as a talented athlete, participating in both basketball and football. On the basketball court, he became known for his competitive spirit and natural ability. In one memorable tournament game, he scored an impressive 40 points, a school and state record that stood for many years. One of his favorite stories was a thrilling victory over Casper Natrona, when the Bobcats trailed by three points in the final seconds. JB drove to the basket, scored, drew a foul, and then calmly sank the free throws needed to secure the win. Those who knew him were not surprised by his ability to perform under pressure-a trait that would serve him well throughout his life and career. 

In recognition of his athletic achievements, leadership, and accomplishments both on and off the court, JB became the first athlete inducted into the Thermopolis Bobcat Hall of Fame. What began with his induction has grown into a proud tradition that continues today, honoring generations of outstanding Bobcat athletes who have followed in his footsteps. 

JB's love of competition continued long after his school days. He enjoyed golf for many years, winning numerous tournaments and earning a reputation for driving the ball farther than most of his competitors. He was also an accomplished bowler and took great pride in achieving membership in the prestigious 200 Club. Whether on the court, the golf course, the bowling lanes, or later in the oilfield, JB approached every challenge with determination, confidence, and a desire to excel. 

JB began his own oilfield career as a roughneck out of Thermopolis, Wyo., earning $1.85 an hour as a floor hand for Carpenter and Trent Drilling Company. He later worked for Henry Gist Drilling Company in the Golden Eagle Oil Field before moving his young family to Big Piney, Wyo., in April 1956 to begin his career with Roden Drilling Company. Starting as a motorman, JB worked his way through the ranks as a driller, relief tool pusher, and relief drilling superintendent, earning respect through his tireless work ethic and steady leadership.  

In 1959, JB moved his family to Casper and attended Casper College, studying Business Management. He was promoted to Business Manager of Roden Drilling Company in 1961 and later became Vice President in 1967.  

Never afraid to innovate, JB launched several successful business ventures throughout his career. In 1957, he started an oilfield water hauling business and, in 1961, pioneered and designed the first diesel-powered vacuum tank trucks in the Rocky Mountain region through Roden Water Service - technology that would eventually become standard throughout the oilfield industry. He later founded JB Roden Trucking Company in 1973, specializing in heavy oilfield hauling throughout the region.  

Following the passing of his father in 1977, JB managed Roden Drilling Company until it was sold, after which he founded JB Roden Drilling Company in Casper. Operating five drilling rigs with capacities ranging from 3,000 to 19,000 feet, JB's company worked throughout Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Montana until the rigs were sold in 1985.  

That same year, JB moved to his cattle ranch south of Ten Sleep, Wyo., where he embraced ranch life while continuing to work as an oilfield consultant. His consulting career took him across the western United States and as far north as Barrow, Alaska, where he served as Drilling Superintendent during the winters of 1991 and 1992 for the Inupiat Eskimo Corporation and North Slope Borough. Working in extreme Arctic conditions on ice pads and remote ice roads, JB successfully oversaw gas well drilling, completions, and pipeline operations while protecting the fragile tundra environment. He often described the Alaska years as one of the greatest adventures of his life.  

Even after decades in the industry, JB's passion for oilfield work never slowed. In 2006, he was hired to build GAS Ventures LLC from the ground up, serving as President and overseeing oilfield production, exploration, drilling operations, and personnel throughout the Big Horn and Wind River Basins. GAS Ventures operated successfully until its sale in 2016, when JB finally retired after an incredible 62-year career in the oil and gas industry.  

Beyond his professional accomplishments, JB believed in community, fellowship, and staying active throughout his life. He played in the first Wildcatters tournament in 1966, served on the Wildcatters Board of Directors from 1978 to 1982, and served as tournament president in 1981. He also served on the Casper Petroleum Club Board of Directors, Casper Country Club Board, as President of the Casper Chapter of the AAODC, and as a board member of the Wyoming Trucking Association.  

Faith, fellowship, and service were also important to JB. He was a Master Mason and remained active in Freemasonry throughout his life. He served as Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star and was a proud member of the Knights Templar. The principles of integrity, charity, and service reflected in these organizations mirrored the way JB lived his life.  

Above all else, JB loved his family deeply, especially his wife and lifelong partner, Ellen (Skoric) Roden. JB and Ellen were high school sweethearts who grew up together in Thermopolis and went through the end of high school side by side before marrying on May 2, 1954. Ellen graduated from Thermopolis High School in 1953 and attended the University of Wyoming to study nursing before the couple married and began building their life together. The two celebrated 62 years of marriage before Ellen's passing in 2017.  

Together, JB and Ellen built a life full of adventure, hard work, laughter, and unwavering devotion to family. In the early years, Ellen worked beside JB in the oilfields, even driving water trucks in Big Piney while supporting his growing businesses. Over the years, their lives together took them from Casper to Riverton, Big Piney, Salt Lake City, Ten Sleep, and eventually back to Thermopolis, where they built their final ranch together.  

JB and Ellen created a home where everyone felt welcome. Ellen never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. Together, they raised not only their children, John III and Sally, but also lovingly helped raise their granddaughters, whom they affectionately called "granddaughter daughters."  JB and Ellen opened their hearts and home to children, family, and friends alike.  

The Roden family trips became legendary among neighborhood kids, who always hoped to be invited along on the family's mountain adventures filled with snowmobiling, fishing, laughter, and stories. Ellen and JB also built a cherished family cabin on Warm Springs Creek above Dubois, where many treasured memories were made together over the years.  

JB will be remembered for his wisdom, humor, larger-than-life stories, strong handshake, stubborn determination, and unwavering loyalty to family and friends. Whether on a drilling rig, in a boardroom, at the bowling alley, on the golf course, in a Masonic lodge, or around the family table, he had a gift for bringing people together. More than anything, he will be remembered as a man who built a life centered around hard work, generosity, and love. One of JB's favorite sayings was, "Live your life and be nice to people."  

JB was preceded in death by his father, John B. Roden Sr .; mother, Brownie Bell; beloved wife, Ellen Roden; and granddaughter, Stephany Roden.  

He is survived by his son, John III (Erin); daughter, Sally; brother, Morgan; sister, Leslie; grandchildren, Julia (Kory), John Daniel (Emmalyne), Jordan, and Audrey; three great-granddaughters, Kaytlynne, Temprance, and Kimber; companion, Marilyn; extended family; and many lifelong friends.  

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on June 5, 2026, at the Episcopal Church in Thermopolis. Family and friends are invited to attend and celebrate JB's remarkable life and legacy.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of JB to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Samaritan's Purse, or Shriners Children's Hospital. These organizations reflect the values of generosity, service, and caring for others that guided JB throughout his life and would be a fitting tribute to his memory. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.