Mr. Gary Lynn Patrick

     Gary Lynn Patrick, son of the late Mamie B. Patrick and Clarence F. Fairley.
     Gary attended St. Madeleine Catholic Elementary School, W.H. Knuckles Elementary School, and
graduated from Lumberton High School in 1971. He furthered his education at North Carolina Agricultural &
Technical State University "Aggie Pride" and received a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1976. Gary also received
a Master of School Administration from East Carolina University. Gary served as an educator for the Public
Schools of Roberson County for over thirty-five years. After retiring in May of 2019, Gary returned to the
educational system in a position with Community in School (CIS). During his tenure in the school systems, as a
teacher, assistant principal, principal, and field representative, he was named by the Unified Robeson County
NAACP as "Educator of the Year".
     Gary was a member of First Baptist Church of Lumberton, NC for over sixty years. He accepted Christ into
his life at an early age and continued to remain a committed and active vessel in the church community. Whether
you heard him singing God's praises in the EB Turner Chorus or Bullock's Men Choir, his hands were always busy
doing what he loved most, giving God the praise and glory. Gary also presided over several committees.
     Gary was a life member of the Lumberton Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was initiated
as the first line of the Lumberton Alumni Chapter in the spring of 1985 and celebrated 37 years of membership in
the organization this year. As an active member, he received several awards in appreciation for his dedication,
leadership, and services.
      Gary enjoyed sports, the theatre and was a vivacious reader. In his earlier years, he played tennis and
became a tennis coach at the Lumberton High School. Gary was an avid golf player and enjoyed the challenge of
playing at various courses with his group of golf buddies. Fun Fact: Gary starred in several plays, including August
Wilson's "Fences".
     Gary dearly loved and enjoyed spending time with his family. He cared for his mother until she died and
would say "they were a package deal". He was also the family historian. He was an excellent cook and adored
spending his holidays preparing meals and baking. He was a gentle lion and an excellent listener. To have known
him, was to love him.
      Gary was preceded in death by his mother Mamie Patrick, father Clarence Fairley, brother James Thomas
(Tommy) Patrick, and beloved sisters-in-law, Sandra Patrick and Vera Patrick.
      On April 29, 2022, Gary Lynn Patrick fell asleep following a brief illness. He leaves to cherish his loving
memory, his brothers Ronald Patrick, Sr. (St. Pauls, NC) and William (Darlene) Patrick (Ballwin, MO); nephews
Ronald Patrick, Jr. (Greensboro, NC), Aaron Patrick (Brooklyn, NY), and Thomas Justin Patrick (Brooklyn, NY);
nieces Trishonda Patrick (Greensboro, NC), Tiffany McDougald (Lumberton, NC), Crystal Patrick (Shaker Heights,
OH), Ania Troy (Durham, NC), and Davin Huggins (Ballwin, MO); special great-nieces Arianna Patrick, Rhianna
Patrick (Lumberton, NC), and Pilhar McDow (Greensboro, NC); best friends John Carter (NC), William Dockery
(NC), Brandon Arkidge (NC) and Harold Johnson (NC). And a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and close friends.

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