East Texas

The kickoff event for The Dennis Patrick Foundation, named in memory of the former Whitehouse coach, was held Saturday at Whitehouse Junior High School.

The fundraiser event featured door prizes every 30 minutes, a golf ball drop, and a silent auction to raise funds for the foundation, which awards scholarships to qualified selected individuals to expand their opportunities in their pursuit of higher education, and also to school-age students who have the bleeding disorder ITP (Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura), arthritis and rheumatic diseases, who need financial assistance to attend educational workshops and camps.

Patrick was born on June 4, 1957 in Seattle, Wash., to the late Wilbert J. and Frances J. Patrick. His family moved to Mesquite, Texas in 1966. Patrick attended Mesquite High School and played football on the 1974 state playoff team. He graduated from Mesquite High School in 1976. He always had a great love for children and sports. Patrick coached for many years and officiated football and baseball for over 20 years, according to information on the foundation's Web site.

In 1990, Patrick decided to pursue his love of sports and helping others by making a career change to become a teacher and a coach. He attended Eastfield College and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in 1995 from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M at Commerce). He taught and coached in schools in Mesquite, Ferris, Garland, Van, Chapel Hill, and most recently Whitehouse, where he served as Whitehouse Junior High School athletic coordinator. Over the years, Patrick coached high school baseball, track, and his favorite sport, football before his death on January 27 of this year.

He was married to his loving and devoted wife of 31 years, Ellen, who is coordinating the foundation's startup. The Patricks have two children, Kristy Parker and Joe Patrick, son-in-law, Brodie Parker and two granddaughters, Shianne Patrick and Katherine Parker.

For more information on Parker and the foundation, visit http://www.thedennispatrickfoundation.org.

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