I've always been a hands-on person. We have a lot of things in town that take a lot of volunteers. I'm on four boards at this time. And my wife says I'm still home too much!
My dad died when I was 3 months old so my grandparents helped raise me. Some say I have old-fashioned values because of it. When I was 13, I made a promise that I'd be involved in kids' lives. That I'd pick the kids for the kid, not for his or her last name or the parents' position in life.
I have a reputation of being a strict coach. My first priority is academics. Kids have to work to their potential before they can play on my team. I've had kids doing homework on the sidelines to get my point across.
I spend five hours a week with these kids. I don't expect parents to agree with all my decisions, but I do hope for their respect for my time and my volunteering. At the start of any season, I tell the parents that if they have problems with kids at any time - home and school - to let me know so I can support them.
I want my boys to understand this is just what you do for your community. I want to help my community grow. Things don't get done automatically.
In addition to serving as the president of the Remington Park Board, Coy Patton coaches youth football, basketball and baseball and serves on the Tri-County Baseball Association. He and his wife moved to Remington in 1992. They have two boys, Zack, age 13, and Nate, age 10.