A native of Morehead City, Patrick never wrestled in high school or college. He was introduced to wrestling in a physical education course at East Carolina University and would go on to a 41 year career in teaching, coaching, and administration. Patrick started the wrestling program at West Carteret High School, serving as the school’s head coach for 19 seasons between 1965 and 1984. He would continue serving as an assistant coach between 1985 and 2015. Coach Patrick earned a reputation for teaching sportsmanship, self-discipline, goal setting, and good character. Former West Carteret wrestler and all-pro NFL player Vaughan Johnson said: “Life in the NFL was a breeze compared to practice under Coach Patrick. Not only was Gordy Patrick a great coach, he is a great man.” Patrick’s career record as a head coach was 201-26-5. During a seven year stretch, his teams were undefeated with a 77-0-3 record. He was named “Mat News” coach of the year in 1983 and was inducted into the West Carteret Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2012, the county Board of Education named the athletic fields at West Carteret the D. Gordon Patrick Athletic Complex in his honor. An accomplished administrator, Patrick has been recognized as Outstanding Young Educator of the year and named principal of the year three times during this career. In 2018, Patrick was inducted into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.